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Goodyear is combining its aviation tire operations around the world, a move the company says will speed up development and improve support for airlines and military fleets. The change takes effect on November 1, 2025, and will be led by Joe Burke, who becomes vice president of global aviation and will report to Grégory Boucharlat, head of commercial operations.
The company says the unified structure will help it respond faster to rising air traffic and maintenance demands. Passenger numbers are expected to grow sharply through 2040, putting more pressure on aircraft parts that are already pushed to their limits.
Burke joined Goodyear in 2015 and previously served as general manager of its aviation business. He has past experience at Michelin, giving him a long background in tire design and manufacturing. Goodyear supplies tires for commercial jets, private aircraft, and military planes and works with airports across North America, Europe, and Asia.
The Akron-based company entered aviation more than a century ago. In 1909, it built the first air-filled tire for planes. Early aircraft used wooden skids or thin bicycle wheels that could not handle rough landings. The new “pneumatic” tire absorbed shocks by compressing air, giving pilots better control on runways.
Goodyear continued developing aviation tires through the 1920s. In 1928 it produced the Airwheel, a low-pressure tire that moved across soft ground without sinking. It mounted directly to the axle and required no traditional wheel assembly, which made it lighter and easier to use on early aircraft.
Today’s aircraft tires face some of the harshest conditions in transportation. A jet touches down at more than 150 miles per hour, generating enough friction to heat rubber above 250 degrees Fahrenheit. The tread must grip the runway instantly, even in heat, rain, or dust.
To withstand these forces, Goodyear uses vulcanized rubber, a process created in 1839 by Charles Goodyear. Heat and sulfur harden the material so it resists tearing and cracking. Modern versions also contain strong synthetic fibers, such as aramid, similar to those used in body armor. Airlines often retread these tires several times, cutting waste and lowering costs.
Goodyear also tests its products on machines that simulate millions of landings. Engineers watch how the rubber wears and how much heat builds inside. The company hopes its new structure will speed up research into better materials, including tires that can seal small punctures or send data to ground crews.
Goodyear says the goal is simple: aircraft need dependable equipment. A failed tire can shut down a runway or delay flights. With one global team, the company believes it can cut response times, deliver replacements faster, and support expanding fleets.
As air travel continues to recover, airlines are buying more planes and flying longer routes. Goodyear says its changes will help keep pace with that growth.
Source: Goodyear Unifies Global Aviation Business to Accelerate Innovation and Growth
