GoAir tests TaxiBot, plans to deploy them at major airports - All you need to know

In a major tech development, GoAir tested TaxiBot - a semi-robotic pilot-operated tow vehicle - at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. Noteworthy, GoAir is now amongst the few airlines that are planning to use TaxiBots. TaxiBots are considered to be a major tool to reduce fuel combustion as well as noise pollution, rather than the conventional system where the airline pilot switches on the engine to take the plane from parking bay to the runway.

GoAir says, "In future, the pilots will use TaxiBots to transport GoAir aircraft to the runway without switching the engine on."

"GoAir is hopeful that TaxiBots will also ensure faster turnaround and result in better on-time-performance," the airline added.

Earlier, SpiceJet had operated India's first TaxiBot -- a pilot-controlled semi-robotic towing tractor -- at Terminal 2 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi.

According to the airline, flight SG-8171, scheduled to fly on the Delhi-Goa route, was towed by the TaxiBot from the jet bridge to the runway before it departed from Terminal 2 at 12 noon.

The vehicle tows aircraft from jet bridge to close to the take-off point. Since the plane's own engines are not used, it saves up to 85 per cent of fuel consumed during taxiing besides substantial reduction in noise levels.