Delhi Airport has accomplished 1,000 TaxiBot movements on their airfield as part of their Green Taxiing Programme initiative that launched in May 2019. Indeed, it is the only airport to operate such a solution, with the primary goal of becoming a Carbon Neutral Airport by 2030. Furthermore, the system has helped air carriers save 214,000 litres of aviation turbine fuel that has previously been consumed by taxiing aircraft, as well as reducing carbon emissions by 532 tonnes.
The TaxiBot mechanism was developed by Israel Aerospace Industries. It achieves its purpose by operating as a hybrid-electric engine without towbars. As such, it is a partially robotic system. The pilots in the cockpit are able to control the movements of the TaxiBot through their own rudder and steering inputs. Consequently, the Aircraft can taxi from its position on the apron to the taxi-out phase. Similarly, the Aircraft can be guided by TaxiBot from after landing back to its position on the apron.
Increased Safety
It is also important to note that TaxiBot reduces the possibility of the Aircraft being subject to structural damage via foreign object debris during the taxiing phase, as well as reducing overall noise pollution and air carrier turnaround times.
Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), who operates the Airport, has further outlined their intentions of becoming carbon neutral – that the TaxiBot is a key driver towards that goal. The CEO of the Airport, Videh Kumar Jaipuriar said,
“Delhi Airport is one of the leading airports globally in terms of adopting environmental sustainability related initiatives. With the implementation and continuous use of TaxiBot, DIAL continues its journey of making Delhi Airport one of the most sustainable airports globally. The reduction in carbon emissions by use of TaxiBot establishes DIAL as an environmentally friendly organisation. This is a major milestone not only for DIAL but also for the Aviation Sector globally, in terms of promoting and adopting an alternative and green taxiing solution. Delhi Airport is the only Airport in the world to adopt this green taxiing solution in May 2019. Adoption of TaxiBot at Delhi Airport was one of the strategic initiatives to reduce carbon emissions by planes, as part of DIAL’s objective of becoming a net zero Carbon emission Airport by 2030.”
Can you think of any other advantages the TaxiBot brings to the aviation sector? Let us know in the comments below.
