IGI Airport all set to operationalise TaxiBot
TaxiBot is pilot controlled semi-robotic specialised equipment used for taxiing aircraft without using the aircraft's own engines.
New Delhi:Taking another step to be more environment-friendly, the Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) is all set to be the world’s first airport to operationalise TaxiBot.
The airport operator is set to introduce the world’s first alternative taxiing solution — TaxiBot — in mid September this year for a period of three months in association with KSU Aviation Pvt. Ltd, which is bringing two TaxiBots to carry out trials.
TaxiBot is pilot controlled semi-robotic specialised equipment used for taxiing aircraft without using the aircraft’s own engines.
In the airline industry, fuel cost is approximately one-third of an airline’s operational budget and continues to rise with increase in oil prices. There are different emerging technologies in the field of alternative aircraft taxiing systems such as TaxiBot, which is developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and is primarily focused on significantly reducing fuel costs. It will also cater to various environmental and noise abatement requirements for the airlines.
IAI has recently conducted TaxiBot’s certification trials at Frankfurt Airport in association with Lufthansa Airlines and the ground support equipment company, TLD.
During their certification trials it was found that TaxiBot can reduce an aircraft’s “taxiing fuel consumption cost by 85 per cent.” While the airlines will be benefited, as it will be helpful in the re-duction of fuel consumption, it will also mean less foreign object debris and jet blast incidents and reduction in damage to airplane breaks.
“Delhi Airport has always been in the forefront of adopting any technology that is environment friendly. For this we have taken various initiatives to improve air quality management and emission reduction at the Delhi Airport,” said a DIAL spokesperson.
. Our latest initiative is to ensure environment friendly taxiing of aircrafts. This initiative will significantly improve the air quality at the airport and its vicinity. It will also help reduce noise pollution and fuel consumption for the airlines,” said a DIAL spokesperson.
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