Tokyo (October 31, 2007) - Bridgestone Corporation announced today that aircraft radial tires produced by Bridgestone Corporation were installed on the first A380 next-generation super-jumbo jetliner produced by Airbus S.A.S. (president: Mr. Thomas Enders; headquarters: Toulouse, France) and delivered to Singapore Airlines for flight service between Singapore and Sydney starting October 25. Airline companies around the world, including Qantas Airways, will also operate Airbus A380 aircraft mounted with Bridgestone aircraft radial tires that boast superb safety and fuel efficiency.

Aircraft tires are subjected to harsh operating conditions imposed by repeated takeoffs and landings, while supporting heavy passenger airliners traveling at high speeds. As such, the development of aircraft tires requires a tire manufacturer to apply advanced technologies across the board. To ensure higher safety and fuel efficiency for Airbus A380 passenger jetliners that take off and land at speeds of up to 370 km/h and with takeoff gross weights of up to 560 tons, Bridgestone supplies aircraft radial tires featuring the advanced radial structure (RRR^*) with high elastic modulus/strength cords.
*RRR = Revolutionarily Reinforced Radial

< Features of RRR >

1）

Superior safety

During takeoff and landing, aircraft tires can burst or their tread sections can separate if they run over pieces of metal on a runway, potentially resulting in a serious accident. To prevent such tire damage, RRR technology offers the leading-edge belt construction with a high-durability for continuing to improve safety. 1. Structure: The inner belt minimizes tire expansion in the radial direction, while the outer belt resists external damage. 2. Effect: By suppressing tread tension, the RRR structure reduces the possibility of damage from running over objects. Should the tire be damaged, the new structure minimizes the possibility of tire destruction through bursting or tread separation.

2）	Improved fuel economy
	1. The leading-edge belt construction with high elastic modulus/strength cords have reduced the tire weight at 7 to 10%, thus contributing to better fuel economy. 2. The lighter tire weight and the leading-edge belt construction which minimizes tire expansion offer improved abrasion resistance, allowing for more takeoff and landing cycles between tire replacement.

The Bridgestone Group considers aircraft radial tires as strategic products, and plans to actively promote and expand sales. Bridgestone aircraft tires, including those delivered to Airbus, are currently manufactured at its Kurume Plant in Fukuoka Prefecture. In addition, Bridgestone is in the process of constructing a production facility at its Tokyo Plant. This expansion will double Bridgestone's current aircraft radial tire production capacity by the end of 2011. The Bridgestone Group also has retread aircraft tire plants in North America, Europe, Asia, and Japan, and offers comprehensive products and services combining support for both new and retread tires.