Bridgestone launches next-generation Boeing 737 aircraft tire with more than 20% more landings per tire
Bridgestone has launched a next-generation aircraft tire for the Boeing 737 that it says delivers more than 20% more landings per tire, with installation on a wider range of aircraft due from 2027.
- More than 20%
- More than 20%
- About 80%
- 2027
What Happened
Bridgestone Corporation announced on October 27, 2026 the launch of next-generation aircraft tires for the Boeing 737, which it says offer enhanced wear performance through optimal design. The tires were initially introduced on aircraft operated by the airlines Bridgestone collaborated with, helping improve their operational efficiency, and the company now plans to expand the introduction to airlines worldwide. Starting in 2027, tires featuring this advanced technology are scheduled to be installed on a wide range of aircraft. The product, part number APR04470, fits the Boeing 737-8 and 737NG — the 737-700, -800 and -900 series — on the main landing gear in size H44.5×16.5R21.
Bridgestone frames the launch against an aviation industry where a rapid recovery in demand after the COVID-19 pandemic has led to labor shortages, making operational efficiency more critical than ever, while the sector intensifies sustainability efforts in line with the International Civil Aviation Organization's goal of net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. The company refined the technology using extensive flight data from partner airlines and its proprietary simulation technologies, conducting evaluations and verifications under various conditions. The new tires retain the high durability of Bridgestone's current RRR technology while significantly improving wear resistance and reducing uneven wear through a new tread compound and an optimized contact profile, with casing durability enhanced by an optimized sidewall design. By integrating advanced tire wear prediction solutions developed in collaboration with airlines and combining them with retreading, the new tires aim to improve operational efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions while prioritizing safety and reliability.
- Enhanced wear resistance: a new compound improves carbon black reinforcement and dispersion using Bridgestone's NanoPro-Tech, which controls rubber molecular structures, improving wear balance during landing and taxiing and delivering more than 20% more landings per tire than the previous product.
- Improved resistance to uneven wear: flight data combined with proprietary simulation optimized tire contact conditions for aircraft-specific surfaces including runways during takeoff and landing and taxiways, reducing irregular wear seen on certain routes by more than 20% and lowering the risk of unplanned replacements and flight delays.
- CO2 reduction through retreading: an optimized sidewall design based on RRR technology extends total tire life, and because approximately 80% of the materials in a retreaded tire can be reused from the original new tire, retreading reduces emissions at the manufacturing stage.
- More than 20% more
- Reduced by more than 20%
- Enhanced through an optimized sidewall design
80%
About 80% of the materials in a retreaded tire can be reused from the original new tire, which Bridgestone says cuts CO2 emissions at the manufacturing stage.
Japan Airlines and Bridgestone collaborate to improve aircraft maintenance using tire wear prediction technologies.
Bridgestone announces the launch of next-generation aircraft tires for the Boeing 737, already introduced on aircraft flown by partner airlines.
Tires featuring the advanced technology are scheduled to be installed on a wide range of aircraft.
Bridgestone's RRR (Revolutionarily Reinforced Radial) construction uses a belt structure of high-elasticity, high-strength fibers, which the company says gives the tires lighter weight and improved wear resistance, contributing to better fuel economy, reduced environmental impact and more landings between tire changes, as well as safety higher than conventional constructions. Bridgestone says its aircraft tires hold the No. 1 installation share among airlines ranked in the SKYTRAX "World Airline Awards 2025" Top 10, based on its own 2025 research. Looking ahead, the company says it aims to maximize the productivity and economic value of airline operations, contributing to the "Extension" and "Economy" commitments described in its Bridgestone E8 Commitment.
Why this matters
Airlines flying the Boeing 737 get a tire that lasts longer between changes, cutting replacement downtime and maintenance workload at a time when post-pandemic labor shortages make operational efficiency more critical than ever. Fewer unplanned replacements can also protect on-time performance, and the tire's retreadability feeds into the aviation industry's push toward ICAO's net-zero CO2 goal for 2050.
Terms in This Story
- RRR (Revolutionarily Reinforced Radial)
- Bridgestone's aircraft tire construction that uses a belt structure made with high-elasticity, high-strength fibers for lighter weight, wear resistance and durability.
- Retreading
- A process that replaces the worn tread on a used tire so the casing can be reused, extending tire life, reducing waste and conserving resources.
- NanoPro-Tech
- Bridgestone's technology for controlling rubber structure at the micrometer and nanometer scale to tune performance such as fuel efficiency, safety, quietness and durability.
- ICAO
- The International Civil Aviation Organization, cited in the release for its goal of net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.