Testing of the Taxibot hybrid-electric aircraft tug is advancing at multiple European airports, with trials demonstrating fuel savings of up to 85% for long taxi operations to distant runways.
The pilot-controlled ground support equipment enables single-aisle aircraft to move between remote stands and runways without using aircraft engines, reducing CO2 and NOx emissions plus noise pollution during ground operations. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport studies indicate large-scale Taxibot adoption could achieve ground fuel savings of approximately 50%.
“Airports are actively pursuing solutions to reduce CO2 emissions from ground operations, which is in line with the broader initiatives of HERON,” said Benjamin Tessier, HERON coordinator and vehicle systems architect at Airbus.
The tug operates by clamping to aircraft nose landing gear with the nose wheel raised onto a pivotable platform. Pilots use aircraft tiller and brake controls for steering while the Taxibot driver connects the equipment and performs pushback before pilot control begins. Aircraft engines spool up just before takeoff rather than during extended taxi operations.
easyJet plans to conduct trials at Schiphol Airport later in 2025, following certification of required aircraft avionics modifications now available as retrofit options for Airbus single-aisle customers. The modifications enable integration with existing aircraft systems while maintaining pilot control authority.
Testing locations include Amsterdam Schiphol, New York JFK, New Delhi, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Brussels airports. Schiphol represents an ideal testing environment due to long distances between its six runways and terminal facilities, maximizing potential fuel savings during taxi operations.
A fully electric version of the Taxibot is expected from 2026, while widebody aircraft compatibility remains under development. The equipment originated with Israel Aerospace Industries in partnership with French manufacturer TLD for production, with prototype development completed in France during 2011.
Current development efforts focus on pilot training expansion, airport infrastructure adjustments for efficient tug connection and removal, and operational integration with air traffic control and ground handling procedures. The testing supports broader adoption as standard procedure for aircraft ground movements.
The Taxibot forms part of the HERON project, coordinated by Airbus under the Single European Sky ATM Research Joint Undertaking. HERON aims to demonstrate aviation environmental footprint reduction through efficient ground operations and optimized air traffic management, concluding in December 2025.
Additional HERON development areas include air traffic control tools supporting ADS-C EPP trajectory data sharing, single engine taxiing procedures, and improved approach and runway operations for reduced CO2 and noise emissions. The project involves 24 partners including Airbus, Aéroports de Paris, Air France, Brussels Airport Company, easyJet, EUROCONTROL, Leonardo, Lufthansa, and Schiphol Airport.
Schiphol Airport targets emissions-free operations by 2030, with the Taxibot supporting ground emissions reduction alongside other sustainable aviation initiatives. Testing continues to validate operational procedures and quantify environmental benefits across different airport configurations and taxi distances.
