easyJet and Schiphol Put Electronic TaxiBot Into Service at Amsterdam
The system tows Airbus aircraft using their auxiliary power units, cutting taxi fuel use, CO2, NOx and apron noise as airports work to lower ground emissions.
Overview
- Schiphol and easyJet announced operational use of electronic TaxiBot on Tuesday after March trials and a first passenger flight on April 30, with four easyJet Airbus aircraft now being equipped for regular operations.
- TaxiBot is a semi-robotic tractor that connects to an aircraft nose gear and moves the plane between gate and runway while the aircraft runs only its auxiliary power unit, avoiding use of the main jet engines during taxiing.
- easyJet estimates the system saves about 95 kilograms of fuel and 299 kilograms of CO2 per flight, and Schiphol says wide adoption could cut taxi fuel consumption by up to 65% while also reducing nitrogen oxides and ultrafine particle emissions.
- The rollout is a multi-party programme developed with Menzies Aviation, Airbus and Smart Airport Systems and partly funded by the EU Connecting Europe Facility through the SESAR 3 HERON project.
- Operators say the technology will lower apron noise and improve air quality for ground staff, and Schiphol aims to scale the approach toward fully sustainable taxiing by 2030 as part of easyJet’s wider net-zero roadmap.