PARIS (Sept. 18, 2008) — Michelin said it will boost production capacity for large radial aircraft tires at its Bourges, France, facility, after signing an exclusive 10-year contract to supply Emirates airline.
The company will provide radial tires for Emirates' Airbus A380 fleet. with radials.
The expansion at the Bourges factory, at an undisclosed cost, should be completed in 2012, according to Michelin. The capacity at the site at that time will be twice what it was in 2006.
The tires were developed at the Michelin Technology Center in Ladoux, France.
The tires will be Michelin's Near Zero Growth radials, which are highly impact & damage-resistant and already used for the Airbus A340-500. Michelin said the tires can make 30 to 40 percent more landings than bias-ply tires, and reduce the weight of the aircraft, leading to fuel savings.
The tires are scheduled for delivery during a period extending from July 2008 to June 2013. Emirates will have the largest A380 fleet in the world and have current order requirements for 58 aircraft, Michelin said.