Air India earned itself a place by becoming the first airline in the world to use a TaxiBot on an Airbus A320 Aircraft functional on a commercial flight with passengers onboard.
A Taxibot is basically used for taxiing an aircraft from parking bay to runway and vice versa. It is also known as the Taxiing Robot and is pilot-controlled semi-robotic towbar-less aircraft tractor which is used as an alternative taxiing equipment.
Air India CMB Ashwani Lohani on Tuesday flagged off the aircraft of AI 665 Delhi-Mumbia flight brought to the runway at IGI airport’s Terminal 3using the Taxibot.
According to Lohani the use of Taxibot on the Air India aircraft at Indira Gandhi International Airport was the first such usage on any Airbus aircraft worldwide. It is really an achievement to be proud of and a giant step forward towards a cleaner environment.
With engines switched off the TaxiBot can tow an aircraft from the parking bays to the runway. Through this the fuel can be saved and bring down the consumption by around 85% used during the taxiing of aircraft. The wear and tear of the engine will also be reduced and carbon emission curbed that will enhance the air quality. Decongestion at the boarding gates will also lessened and apron area through efficient pushbacks.
The TaxiBots will be initially used for departing flights only and using it is a significant step by the AI Team towards and greener environment for flight operations.
