At Schiphol airport, the first KLM passenger flight operated with a Boeing 737 was successfully towed from the gate to the Polderbaan runway by a Taxibot. Thanks to the Taxibot, the aircraft’s engines were able to remain off until the Polderbaan. This means that the aircraft emits less CO₂, NOx and (ultra)fine particles when taxiing to the runway.
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How does a Taxibot work?
At first glance, the Taxibot resembles a standard tow vehicle. The difference is that the Taxibot is controlled by the pilot of the aircraft during taxiing and not by the tractor driver. The latter only takes care of the coupling and pushback from the gate and returns the Taxibot from the runway back to the gate. The Taxibot undocks and the pilot starts the aircraft’s engines for take-off by the runway. The Taxibot is currently still powered by a motor (part electric/part fossil). Our future aim is to taxi aircraft to the stand at the runway using an electrically powered Taxibot.
Collaboration
The introduction of the Taxibot into the operation is a collaboration between Schiphol and KLM, LVNL, Transavia, TUI, Swissport, EasyJet and handlers Menzies, VIGGO, dnata and KLM Ground Services. Initially, the project will focus on the narrowbody fleet: first the Boeing 737, later also the new A321neo and the Embraer.
Expansion
KLM aims to expand taxiing with a Taxibot at Schiphol in the coming years. To achieve this, major, drastic changes to infrastructure, processes and technology are required. It is also important to determine through trials how the Taxibot can be integrated into daily operations and all pilots must be trained to operate the Taxibot.
