Air India on Tuesday became the first airline in the world to use a Taxibot on a A320 aircraft with passengers onboard, it has been reported.
Taxibot is an autonomous aircraft tractor for taxiing planes from the parking bay to runway and vice versa.
The national carrier’s Chairman and Managing Director Ashwani Lohani flagged off flight AI665 – which was carried to runway using Taxibot at terminal 3 of the Delhi airport, to Mumbai.
“The use of Taxibot on the Air India aircraft at Indira Gandhi International Airport today morning is the first such usage on any Airbus aircraft worldwide. Really an achievement to be proud of. A giant step forward towards a cleaner environment,” Lohani said.
With Taxibot it is possible to tow an aircraft from the parking bay to the runway whilst its engines are switched off.
An Air India spokesperson said, “Taxibot saves precious fuel and reduces engine wear and tear. The ignition will be turned only when the aircraft reaches the runway.”
“These Taxibots will be used for departing flights only.” he added.
The spokesperson said the “usage of Taxibots will significantly bring down the consumption of fuel by as much as 85 per cent used during taxiing of an aircraft.”
