Philadelphia International Airport installs new EMAS system for improved runway safety

Trip Thomas of Runway Safe commented on the effectiveness of their systems: "To date we've had 24 real-world arrestments anywhere from 747s to business jets and they've all been 100% successful."

Runway overruns are a significant concern in aviation safety, accounting for about 22% of global aviation accidents according to Runway Safe. While less frequent among commercial jets compared to private or general aviation aircraft, these incidents can have severe consequences. An example cited is Korean Air Flight 631’s overrun at Mactan Cebu International Airport in 2022, which resulted in injuries and loss of the aircraft; experts suggest that an EMAS could have mitigated damages if it had been present.

EMAS installations can be tailored to fit available space at airports where traditional runway safety areas may not be feasible due to land constraints—an issue common at older airports like PHL established before modern standards were adopted.

Key features of the EMASMAX system include predictable performance validated through live testing, more than two decades of field experience with over 120 systems deployed, durability with reduced maintenance costs over its design life, versatility for different types of aircraft and airport configurations, and repairability so only damaged sections need replacement after an incident.

As reported by Travel and Tour World, as of March 2025 there were approximately 1,000 EMAS installations at runway ends across about 500 commercial airports in the United States (https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/usa-leads-in-runway-safety-with-emas-installations-at-500-airports/). This makes the U.S. a leader in deploying this type of runway safety technology.