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TaxiBot is a hybrid-electric tug designed to move aircraft without firing up their engines.
By Shula Rosen
An innovative ground towing system developed in Israel is gaining traction as European airports look to slash emissions and fuel consumption.
The TaxiBot, a hybrid-electric tug designed to move aircraft without firing up their engines, is now undergoing expanded trials across major international hubs, including Amsterdam Schiphol, New York JFK, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and New Delhi.
The TaxiBot is a central feature of HERON (Highly Efficient gReen OperatioNs), a European initiative led by Airbus under the SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) program.
HERON aims to reduce aviation’s environmental footprint through smarter ground operations and improved air traffic management.
Though the project concludes in December 2025, interest in the TaxiBot continues to grow.
Unlike conventional pushback vehicles, the pilot-controlled TaxiBot allows aircraft to taxi between terminal stands and runways without engaging their jet engines.
After initial connection by a ground driver, the pilot takes over using the aircraft’s own tiller and brake system.
This dramatically reduces CO₂, NOx, and noise emissions during ground movements. Airbus has now certified the necessary avionics bay modifications for retrofit on its single-aisle aircraft, with easyJet expected to begin trials later this year at Schiphol.
For busy airports with long taxi routes like Schiphol, fuel savings from using the TaxiBot could reach 50%—and up to 85% for more remote runways.
A fully electric version is in development for release in 2026, along with a version capable of handling widebody aircraft.
The TaxiBot was originally developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), which still holds the trademark.
IAI partnered with French firm TLD to manufacture the system, with the first prototype produced in 2011.
As adoption expands, efforts are underway to train pilots, streamline airport procedures, and fully integrate the tug into daily operations.
As airports strive for net-zero targets, this Israeli innovation could become a standard tool in global aviation’s decarbonization toolkit—pushing Israeli engineering to the forefront of sustainable air travel.
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