Menzies Aviation supports TaxiBot electric aircraft towing at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport for easyJet

Menzies Aviation, the leading service partner to the world’s airports and airlines, is supporting the roll-out of TaxiBot technology at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS), working in collaboration with easyJet, Schiphol Airport and industry partners to introduce more efficient, lower-emission ground operations.

TaxiBot is a semi-robotic, electric aircraft towing system that enables aircraft to taxi between the gate and runway without using their main engines, reducing fuel burn, emissions and noise during ground movements.

The deployment follows a successful trial earlier this year, with easyJet now introducing the vehicles on three more of its Airbus A320neo aircraft operating at Schiphol – the first airport in Europe to deploy electric TaxiBot for Airbus operations. TaxiBot is expected to save an average of 95kg of fuel and 299kg of CO₂ per flight, while also reducing noise on the apron.

By reducing jet engine use during taxiing, TaxiBot lowers fuel consumption and emissions, while also reducing noise and improving air quality on the apron – an important factor for both environmental performance and the wellbeing of employees working on the ground. At scale, TaxiBot has the potential to reduce fuel consumption during taxiing by up to 65%, while also significantly lowering CO₂, NOx and ultrafine particle emissions.

As a key ground handling partner at AMS, Menzies Aviation is responsible for integrating TaxiBot into live ramp operations, including operating TaxiBot vehicles, training employees and coordinating ground movements to support safe and efficient turnaround activity.

Menzies Aviation has supported operations at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport for more than 33 years and has worked in close partnership with easyJet for 30 years, providing passenger, ramp and de-icing services at AMS – one of the airline’s key European bases. This long-standing relationship provides a strong foundation for introducing new technologies such as TaxiBot into live operations.

Miguel Gomez Sjunnesson, EVP Europe, Menzies Aviation, said: “The deployment of TaxiBot at Schiphol illustrates our capability to collaborate with partners to implement new technology in day-to-day ground operations. At Menzies, we’re focused on delivering solutions that improve efficiency, enhance safety and reduce emissions. Working closely with Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and easyJet, we’re embedding TaxiBot into everyday operations to help create a cleaner, healthier environment for our teams on the ground and ultimately support everyone’s net-zero ambitions”

Menzies Aviation is working with airline and airport partners across its network to introduce practical solutions that enhance performance, reduce environmental impact and improve the working environment for its people. This forms part of the company’s All In strategy and its commitment to achieve net zero operations by 2045.