Michelin announced today that beginning in July 2016, it will be the sole source tire supplier for the main landing gear on the final assembly line for the Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range), the 777-200LR (Long Range) and the 777 Cargo.

As a result, this long-haul aircraft, which can transport 400 passengers on flights covering distances of up to 7370 nautical miles (13,650 km), will be fitted with Michelin’s new generation patented Near Zero Growth (NZG) technology radial tires.

Michelin’s certification on the Boeing 777-300ER is part of a sustainable partnership strategy between the two global companies. In April 2015, Michelin was awarded “Supplier of the Year” award from Boeing. Michelin radial tires are available for a large part of the Boeing line-up of aircraft: the 737, 747, 787, 777 as well as several military aircraft. Michelin radial tires with NZG technology are designed to offer a lower total cost of ownership, long tread life, and the highest levels of safety.

“Michelin is proud to have been selected by Boeing as its official partner on the 777-300ER fleet” said Frank Moreau, Michelin Aircraft Tire Company’s President.

Michelin, the industry’s technological leader, continues to bring innovative radial tire technology to market with improved performance and unrelenting quality.

The new MICHELIN Air X NZG tire combines three major advantages that led to its certification:

• Weight savings that in turn reduces fuel consumption;
• Significant improvement in wear increases by 15% the number of landings compared to the standard nylon radial tyres;
• Elevated reliability, in particular by increasing the resistance to damage caused by foreign objects, resulting in a reduction in unscheduled maintenance.

The tires will be manufactured at the Michelin plant in Bourges, France which is a worldwide hub for radial technology aircraft tire production.