AirIndia became the first airline in the world to use a Taxibot on an Airbus A320 aircraft operating a commercial flight with passengers onboard, on Tuesday at the Delhi international airport. A Taxibot (taxiing robot) is a pilot-controlled, semi-robotic, towbar-less aircraft tractor used as an alternate taxiing equipment. Air India chairman and managing director (CMD) Ashwani Lohani flagged off AI665 from Delhi to Mumbai at Terminal 3 today.

This device can tow the aircraft from the parking bays to the runway with their engines switched off, which will help save fuel and reduce the engine's wear and tear. The ignition will be turned on only when the aircraft reaches the runway, and these Taxibots will be used for departing flights only.