Brussels Airport and TUI fly test sustainable taxiing with Taxibot
11.04.2024
Brussels Airport Company and Tui fly have started testing sustainable taxiing with Taxibot. This way of taxiing can reduce emissions by up to 85% (less CO2, UFP, NOx, etc.) and noise impact by up to 60%. The tests are part of the Green Deal Initiatives of the Stargate consortium, which aims to make aviation more sustainable.
What is Taxibot?
It is a semi-robotic truck that can be controlled by the pilot. It is the only certified on-airport solution for sustainable taxiing and can tow the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft families. The Taxibot runs on biodiesel and uses only 3 liters of fuel for the same trajectory that would consume 40 liters with traditional taxiing. The pilot is in full control of the procedure and brakes, just like during normal taxiing.
Evaluating the benefits of Taxibot
The Taxibot tests started on Brussels Airport’s taxiways on March 25, 2024. Although taxi times at the airport are relatively short, the Taxibot is expected to have a positive impact on noise and emissions compared to traditional engine-based taxiing. Over the next three months, pilots from TUI fly will evaluate the benefits of this sustainable taxiing alternative. The Taxibot is a significant step towards a more sustainable future for air travel and stands out as a beacon of progress in the aviation industry’s demand for eco-friendly innovations.
As the aviation industry continues to embrace sustainable innovations, the Taxibot is a promising technology that can help create a more sustainable future for air travel.
