Airports take advantage of lull in activity to test innovative system for aircraft towing
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) with its partners TLD and SAS is expanding the TaxiBot operations and deployment to Schiphol airport in Amsterdam and Bangalore Airport in India. With the COVID-19 crisis bringing airport operations to a near-halt, the opportunity is provided to test new developments and ways to streamline operations. Schiphol airport in Amsterdam recently started testing aircraft taxiing using TaxiBot to streamline the process. Bangalore airport in India, is also testing the TaxiBot system so that they will be able to start operating the system immediately after the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
TaxiBot was developed by IAI’s Aviation Group and TLD. The system is based on a semi-robotic vehicle, which connects to the aircraft and is controlled by the pilot. TaxiBot is used to tow aircraft from the airport departure gate to the runway and back, without requiring using the aircraft’s engines. The TaxiBot saves 85% of the fuel burned during aircraft taxiing and similar reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Additional benefits of the TaxiBot includes 60% noise reduction and 50% reduction of damage caused by foreign objects sucked into the engines during taxiing. The TaxiBot streamlines the aircraft’s entry and exit from the terminal area saving around 4 minutes per departure (based on data gathered during routine daily operations at Delhi airport).
IAI’s Aviation Group was founded in January 2019 as part of IAI’s new business strategy and consolidated three out of IAI’s six groups. The merger achieved focus on aircraft business, and streamlining operations. The Aviation Group operates in four export-oriented business lines, the most established being MRO services to military and civilian aircraft. MRO services also allowed IAI to gain a foothold in airports. The Aviation Group offers a range of services to the world’s largest aerospace companies, including Lockheed Martin and Boeing, and major carriers such as Alitalia and WizzAir, and shipping companies such as Amazon and DHL.
Yossi Melamed, IAI VP and head of IAI’s Aviation Group, said, “The COVID-19 crisis has resulted in near-cessation of operations in many airports. We are taking advantage of the opportunities this situation offers. Many governments in Europe, such as Holland and France, and the USA, have imposed conditions for receiving economic assistance to businesses, including airports and airliners, based on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The TaxiBot helps airports and airliners meet these requirements and also reduce their operational costs. We are excited about the interest airports are showing to the TaxiBot.”
IAI expands the TaxiBot to more airports
