Bridgestone Corporation has announced a groundbreaking co-creation initiative with Ethiopian Airlines and Ethiopian Airports to reduce Foreign Object Debris (FOD) at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. This marks the first time Bridgestone has continuously collaborated with both an airline and an airport simultaneously on FOD reduction for safe aircraft operations. The partnership aims to enhance operational efficiency, improve on-time performance, and ensure safer flights for passengers and crew.
Understanding the FOD Challenge in Aircraft Operations
Foreign Object Debris management is critical to ensuring safe aircraft operations with peace of mind. At Bole International Airport, the main hub for Ethiopian Airlines, FOD incidents previously caused tire-related problems that disrupted flight schedules and compromised operational efficiency. These debris items, ranging from small metal fragments to other hazardous materials on airport surfaces, pose significant risks to aircraft safety and can lead to costly maintenance issues and delays.
Bridgestone recognized this operational challenge and leveraged its extensive expertise in tire analysis and FOD data collection. The company maintains a sophisticated system to inspect and analyze all used tires returned from airline customers, accumulating valuable FOD data specific to each airline’s operations. This data-driven approach enabled Bridgestone to propose customized solutions for reducing FOD at Bole International Airport.
Collaborative Approach to FOD Reduction and Aircraft Safety
The co-creation activities between Bridgestone, Ethiopian Airlines, and Ethiopian Airports have implemented a comprehensive FOD reduction strategy. Bridgestone continuously supported and strengthened regular FOD patrols by airport staff through detailed data analysis based on FOD distribution information, creation of hazard maps, recommendations for efficient FOD collection, and awareness activities regarding FOD impact on aircraft operations.
As a result of this ongoing collaboration, the incidence rate of aircraft tire issues caused by FOD has significantly decreased compared to the period before the initiative began. This improvement has directly contributed to better on-time performance for Ethiopian Airlines and enhanced operational reliability. Additionally, the initiative has increased utilization of retreaded tires, which extends tire life and supports circular economy principles while reducing costs and environmental impact.
Industry Leaders Praise the Partnership
“At Ethiopian Airlines, the safety of our passengers, employees, and aircraft is a priority. We are pleased to collaborate with Bridgestone to further strengthen our efforts in reducing FOD at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and ensure safe operations at the hub airport.”
Retta Melaku, Chief Operating Officer of Ethiopian Airlines
“We remain fully committed to upholding the highest safety standards at Bole International Airport at all times. This significant achievement in reducing FOD is the result of our strong commitment for safe operations and close collaboration with Bridgestone.”
Getaneh Adera, Managing Director of Ethiopian Airports
“By combining the learnings and insights from Ethiopian Airlines’ operational issues with our analysis technology and know-how, we have deepened our co-creation to propose customized solutions. We are delighted to contribute to safe aircraft operations with peace of mind and to improved operational productivity.”
Jean-Philippe Minet, Managing Director of Bridgestone Aircraft Tire (Europe) S.A.
Sustainability and Economic Value in Aviation
Beyond safety improvements, this partnership demonstrates how FOD reduction contributes to enhanced productivity, economic value, and sustainability in aviation operations. The increased use of retreaded tires represents a significant step toward circular economy practices in the aviation industry. Retreaded tires are produced by replacing worn tread on used tires, enabling the reuse of tire casings and extending tire life while reducing waste and supporting environmental sustainability goals.
Bridgestone’s commitment to this initiative aligns with its corporate vision, the “Bridgestone E8 Commitment,” which emphasizes efficiency and maximizing productivity through advancement of mobility, as well as extension and nonstop innovation that keeps people and the world moving ahead. Going forward, Ethiopian Airlines Group and Bridgestone will continue to amplify the value of co-creation, contributing to the development of the aviation industry and society as a whole.
