ATLANTA, October 19, 2010 – Goodyear Aviation announced today at the NBAA2010 show in Atlanta that its radial aircraft tire expansion project will be completed by the first quarter of 2011 – ahead of schedule – which will double the company’s state-of-the-art radial tire production capacity.

“Goodyear has always been an innovator in radial aircraft tires, having introduced the first FAA-approved radial tire in 1983,” said Bert Aertssen, Goodyear Aviation’s Global General Manager. “In view of recent structural changes in the market place, we recognized that the demand for radial aircraft tires would continue to increase. Therefore, we jumped ahead of the growth curve and launched in 2008 an important expansion project that will result in doubling our capacity to build light weight radial tires to serve our airline, military and business jet customers by the end of the first quarter 2011.”

As a company recognized for its innovative technology, Goodyear has continuously devised new technologies to provide light weight aircraft tires, with no compromise in toughness.  The introduction of light alloy metal bead cores, and body plies made from the merger of tough yet light materials such as aramid and nylon, has resulted in further weight reduction of its radial tires that are capable of performing in the high stress environment of the aviation industry.

“In the more than 100 years that we have been providing innovative solutions to the aviation industry, our desire to help our customers reduce their cost of operation has always been our driving force,” said Aertssen.  “Our radial tires provide operators all over the world with the right, technologically advanced solutions to further improve their competitiveness”

As a testament to its capability to develop radial tires for light weight and optimized cost of operation, Goodyear will have the radial fitment for the prestigious Gulfstream G650 business jet when it enters service in 2012.

“The expansion of our radial capacity provides Goodyear with even more flexibility to work with customers on new products and fitments, such as this exciting opportunity with Gulfstream,” continued Aertssen. “We look forward to making similar announcements of new business opportunities in the near future.”

Goodyear is one of the world’s largest suppliers of aviation tires for commercial, military and general aviation aircraft.  Operating a global business from its Akron, Ohio headquarters, Goodyear manufactures aviation tires and retreads in the United States, Thailand, Brazil, and The Netherlands. For more information on Goodyear aviation tires, retreading and services, visit www.goodyearaviation.com.