Philadelphia International Airport has just added a major upgrade to runway safety, marking a first for the airport.

Mayor Cherelle Parker, alongside officials from the Federal Aviation Administration and the city's Department of Aviation, celebrated the completion of an Engineered Material Arresting System (EMAS) on runway 826.

The EMAS acts as a high-tech safety net for aircraft that overrun the runway. The system is made of special crushable material that slows down planes by collapsing under their weight, preventing more serious accidents.

If a plane overshoots the runway, instead of sliding into a fence or something worse, the concrete blocks crumble under the weight of the plane, slowly slowing it down.

"Our nation's airports are really the front door of our communities," FFA Administrator Bryan Bedford said.

The $8.5 million project began in September 2024 and was funded through an FAA Airport Infrastructure Grant.

"There is a total of 117 systems across the United States," Parker said, praising the collaboration between city and federal agencies. "I'm thankful we were able to implement this vital system that works in the best interest of our city and travelers."

Bedford says the EMAS system is a critical upgrade, especially at an airport like PHL, where space is limited but travel demands continue to grow.

"As many of you know, Philadelphia is a land-constrained resource here for this city," Bedford said, "but it continues to grow, and there is demand for more capacity."

PHL joins a growing list of airports across the country using EMAS, especially in areas where there isn't enough space to extend runway safety zones. The technology has already saved lives at other U.S. airports.