EMAS: The lifesaving runway technology
Runway overruns can be devastating, with crews challenged by wet or contaminated runways, tailwinds or mechanical issues. EMAS, the Engineered Materials Arrestor System, may be unassuming, but it has become one of aviation’s most reliable last lines of defence.
What exactly is EMAS?
At first glance, an EMAS bed may look like a simple stretch of concrete blocks. But it’s specially designed to collapse under an aircraft’s weight, using its momentum to bring it to a safe stop within metres.
Beneath the concrete blocks of an EMAS bed is usually a layer of engineered aggregate or base material that provides structural support and ensures the blocks crush predictably when struck by an aircraft.
First installed at New York’s JFK in 1996, EMAS is particularly valuable at airports constrained by water, terrain or urban development, such as Zurich, Philadelphia, Boston Logan, RAF Northolt and London City, where runway safety areas cannot be extended.
Proven to save lives
Runway Safe Group, headquartered in Sweden, are a leading manufacturer of the EMAS. It is also the only manufacturer which meets FAA standards, crediting the technology with saving at least 27 aircraft and thousands of lives around the world.
A striking instance of EMAS in action occurred on 31 October 2016, when an EVA Air Boeing 747-400 cargo jet overran the wet runway at Chicago O’Hare. The aircraft ran into the EMAS bed at the end, which crushed under its weight and brought the 400-tonne jet to a halt within seconds. All crew escaped uninjured, and the aircraft suffered only minor damage. Without EMAS, investigators said, it likely would have breached the perimeter fence and ended up on a nearby road, turning a routine overrun into a major disaster.
The company now provides EMAS solutions globally with over 130 installations so far, offering both the traditional concrete-based EMASMAX® and the greenEMAS® system, which uses recycled glass foam for sustainable energy absorption.
Three saves in one month – with two in one day
In September 2025 alone, EMAS installations saved three aircraft in the United States, with two events happening on 3 September. A Challenger 300 business jet overran the runway at and was stopped before a busy road at Boca Raton Public Airport, and a Gulfstream G150 business jet overran at Chicago Executive Airport. This was the third time an aircraft had been saved at the airport. Then on 24 September an Embraer 145 ran into the EMAS at Roanoke, saving 53 passengers and crew.
Why are airports embracing EMAS?
For airport operators, the appeal is obvious. EMAS allows them to meet international safety standards where traditional 300-metre runway safety areas simply aren’t feasible. It’s particularly valuable for older or space-constrained airports where every metre counts.
The financial case is also strong. For airlines and airports, EMAS offers peace of mind, reducing the risk of hull loss and ever-increasing insurance costs.
Installation costs typically range between £3 million and £7 million – a significant investment, but small compared with the potential losses from a single runway excursion. Once installed, maintenance is straightforward: regular inspections and, of course, replacement after an incident.
An EMAS also allows airports to reopen far quicker after an overrun, as the aircraft can be towed out of the installation on its landing gear. If an aircraft instead overran the runway, it would likely require expensive and time-consuming specialist lifting and removal equipment.
What are the practical considerations of EMAS?
EMAS isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Each system must be customised for the specific airport and the types of aircraft it handles. Designers need to factor in weight, speed and climate conditions to ensure the arrestor performs as expected.
There’s also the operational side to consider. Once an EMAS bed has been used, it needs to be rebuilt – a process that can happen relatively quickly, depending on the extent of the damage. Airports must have contingency plans in place to manage runway operations during that period.
The future of EMAS
As passenger numbers grow and airport footprints remain fixed, EMAS is becoming an increasingly attractive option. Research is also now exploring lighter, modular materials to make the system more adaptable for smaller or regional airports.
Additionally, awareness is crucial: pilots need to know specifically which airports have EMAS installed. Regular training, updated written documentation and clear airport briefings are essential to ensure crews fully understand their presence, use and purpose as a safety net.
It’s easy to overlook EMAS – after all, most passengers will never notice those grey blocks beyond the end of the runway. But in an emergency, they can mean the difference between a close call and a catastrophe.