Bridgestone has announced the launch of a joint project with Ethiopian Airlines and Ethiopian Airports at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, aiming to reduce so-called Foreign Object Debris (FOD) on airport surfaces, supporting safer and more reliable flight operations. This marks the first time Bridgestone has worked continuously and simultaneously with both an airline and an airport on a jointly developed solution.
FOD Management
Effective management of FOD on airport surfaces ensures safe and reliable flight operations. At Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, the central hub of Ethiopian Airlines, FOD has occasionally led to tyre-related incidents that could affect flight schedules, which created an opportunity to further improve both operational safety and efficiency through targeted FOD management.
Bridgestone has a system for inspecting and analysing all used tyres from airline customers, collecting airline-specific FOD data in the process. Based on this data and its technical expertise, Bridgestone analysed the situation at Bole International Airport and, together with Ethiopian Airlines and Ethiopian Airports, developed specific measures to help improve FOD management, including continuous support and optimisation of regular FOD patrols by airport staff, data-based analysis of FOD distribution, the creation of hazard maps, recommendations for more efficient FOD removal, and awareness-raising activities on the impact of FOD.
The joint project helped reduce the frequency of tyre-related incidents caused by FOD, leading to improved operational punctuality and making a substantial contribution to enhanced operational safety at Ethiopian Airlines. In addition, the use of retreaded aircraft tyres optimised productivity, economic value and sustainability in flight operations.
Ethiopian Airlines Group and Bridgestone plan to further expand their collaboration in the future, contributing to the continued development of the aviation industry and creating sustainable value for society. Ethiopian Airlines and Addis Ababa Bole International Airport employees regularly carry out inspections across airport premises to identify and reduce FOD.
“At Ethiopian Airlines, the safety of our passengers, employees and aircraft is our highest priority,” said Retta Melaku, Chief Operating Officer of Ethiopian Airlines Group. “We are pleased to work with Bridgestone to further strengthen our measures to reduce foreign objects at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and to ensure safe operations at our central hub.”
“We are fully committed to the highest safety standards at Bole International Airport at all times. The significant success in reducing foreign objects is the result of our commitment to safer operations and our close collaboration with Bridgestone,” added Getaneh Adera, Managing Director of Ethiopian Airports. “Through this joint project, we have made flight operations safer while simultaneously increasing productivity and economic value.”
“By combining Ethiopian Airlines’ operational experience and challenges with our analytical capabilities and technical expertise, we were able to develop tailored solutions. We are pleased to contribute to safer aircraft operations and higher operational productivity through the effective reduction of foreign objects on airport surfaces,” explained Jean-Philippe Minet, Managing Director, Bridgestone Aircraft Tire (Europe) S.A. “By further developing this solution, we will continue to strengthen the value of our ‘Dan-Totsu Products’, our customers’ trust and the benefits of using data to create new value.”
