[aviation news]
The aviation industry is taking bold steps toward sustainability, and the Taxibot is at the forefront of this shift.
This hybrid-electric, pilot-controlled ground tug is designed to reduce fuel consumption and emissions during aircraft ground movements.
As part of the European HERON project, Taxibot trials are gaining momentum at airports like Amsterdam Schiphol, with the initiative set to wrap up by the end of 2025.
What Is the HERON Project?
HERON, or Highly Efficient gReen OperatioNs, is a European effort led by Airbus to enhance aircraft efficiency both in the air and on the ground.
It’s part of the Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR) Joint Undertaking, focused on reducing aviation’s environmental impact.
The project involves 24 partners across ten countries, including airlines, airports, air traffic control agencies, and service providers, all working together to create a greener aviation ecosystem.
A key focus of HERON is the Taxibot, a pilot-controlled hybrid-electric tug that moves single-aisle aircraft from remote stands to runways without relying on the aircraft’s engines. This innovation slashes fuel use, cutting CO2, NOx, and noise pollution during ground operations.
How Does the Taxibot Work?
The Taxibot system is straightforward yet effective. It clamps onto the aircraft’s nose landing gear, lifting the nose wheel onto a pivotable platform. Pilots use the aircraft’s tiller and brakes to steer, while the tug’s driver handles pushback and connection.
The aircraft’s engines remain off until just before takeoff, significantly reducing fuel burn.To enable Taxibot use, aircraft require minor avionics modifications.
These upgrades are now certified and available for retrofit on Airbus single-aisle planes. Low-cost carrier easyJet plans to test the system at Schiphol in 2025, with other airports like New York’s JFK, New Delhi, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Brussels also trialing the tugs.
Benefits of Taxibot
Airports like Schiphol, with long distances between terminals and runways, are ideal for Taxibot operations.
Studies suggest that widespread adoption could cut ground fuel use by up to 50%. Projected savings can reach 85% for longer taxi routes. This aligns with Schiphol’s goal to become emissions-free by 2030.
The Taxibot was originally developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in partnership with French manufacturer TLD. It has been in development since 2009. A prototype was built in 2011, and the system is now operational.
Efforts are underway to train pilots, adapt airport infrastructure, and streamline coordination between pilots, air traffic control, and ground crews to integrate Taxibots seamlessly.
The Future: Fully Electric and Widebody Tugs
Looking ahead, a fully electric Taxibot is slated for release in 2026, promising even greater environmental benefits. A version for widebody aircraft is also in development, expanding the system’s potential.
Airbus and its HERON partners aim to make Taxibot the standard for ground movements where feasible. This supports global efforts to reduce aviation’s carbon footprint.
“Airports are eager to cut CO2 emissions from ground operations, and Taxibot supports HERON’s broader goals,” says Benjamin Tessier, HERON Coordinator and Vehicle Systems Architect at Airbus.
After three years of refining the Taxibot for single-aisle aircraft, Airbus is exploring its use across its entire fleet.
HERON’s Broader Impact
Taxibot is just one part of HERON, which concludes in December 2025. The project also explores air traffic control tools, such as ADS-C EPP standards for sharing trajectory data, single-engine taxiing, and optimized approach and runway operations to further reduce CO2 and noise emissions.
Partners like Aéroports de Paris, Air France, Brussels Airport, easyJet, EUROCONTROL, and Lufthansa are driving these innovations.
Taxibot represents a practical step toward sustainable aviation. By cutting fuel use and emissions during ground operations, it addresses a critical part of the industry’s environmental impact.
As trials expand and technology evolves, Taxibot could become a cornerstone of greener airport operations, paving the way for a more sustainable future in aviation.
Share this content:
