Brussels Airport will test taxi bot in the coming months: “Less emissions and less noise pollution”

Since last week, a taxi bot has been tested at Brussels Airport. Taxi times at Brussels Airport are relatively short, but the taxi bot should still have a positive impact in terms of noise pollution and emissions compared to taxiing on aircraft engines. “It is very important to look for innovative solutions to reduce the environmental impact of our airport operations,” says Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport. “The taxi bot offers a new and interesting alternative to taxiing. Testing not only allows us to evaluate its operation in practice, it also gives us a better view of its benefits within our infrastructure.”

Instead of using its own engines for taxiing, it is the taxi bot, with a biodiesel engine, that tows the aircraft to its destination. The pilot maintains control throughout and operates the brakes, just as during a traditional taxi process. The driver in the taxi bot then drives back to the parking spot. “But the taxi bot ensures a significant reduction in kerosene consumption, up to 85 percent fewer emissions and reduces noise pollution during taxiing by 60 percent,” concludes Brussels Airport.