Sustainable Aviation
easyJet and Schiphol Deploy Electric TaxiBot for Airbus A320neo
easyJet and Amsterdam Schiphol introduce electric TaxiBot technology for Airbus A320neo, reducing fuel use and emissions during taxiing.
On May 26, 2026, easyJet and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol officially announced the deployment of fully electric “TaxiBot” technology for Airbus A320neo passenger aircraft. According to the official press release, this initiative allows aircraft to taxi between the gate and the runway without engaging their main jet engines, relying instead on a semi-robotic electric towing vehicle.
The deployment marks a significant milestone for European aviation, as Schiphol becomes the first European airport to introduce the fully electric GEN 2 TaxiBot specifically for Airbus passenger operations. We note that this rollout follows a successful trial in March 2026 and a first commercial passenger flight on April 30, 2026.
By utilizing this technology, easyJet estimates immediate environmental benefits, including the saving of 95 kilograms of aviation fuel and the prevention of 299 kilograms of CO₂ emissions per flight. The project represents a multi-year collaboration involving easyJet, Schiphol Airport, Menzies Aviation, Airbus, and Israeli technology firm Smart Airport Systems (SAS).
The Mechanics of Engine-Free Taxiing
How the GEN 2 TaxiBot Operates
At expansive airports like Schiphol, taxiing to distant runways such as the Polderbaan can take upwards of 20 minutes, traditionally burning thousands of pounds of jet fuel before takeoff. The press release details that the TaxiBot addresses this inefficiency by functioning as a semi-robotic, towbarless electric tractor. It lifts the aircraft’s nose wheel onto a rotating platform and remains attached all the way to the runway threshold, unlike standard pushback tugs that disconnect near the terminal gate.
During the taxi phase, the pilot remains in full control, steering the TaxiBot directly from the cockpit using the standard tiller. The aircraft’s main engines remain switched off, relying solely on the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) to power onboard electrical systems. The main engines are only started just before takeoff.
According to the provided operational details, the electric tug can tow aircraft at speeds up to 23 knots (approximately 42 km/h). Once uncoupled at the runway, a ground operator sitting inside the TaxiBot drives the vehicle back to the terminal for the next flight. Currently, four easyJet Airbus A320neo aircraft are permanently equipped with this system.
Environmental and Workplace Benefits
Cutting Carbon and Local Pollutants
The transition to electric taxiing offers substantial environmental advantages. Based on easyJet’s data, the TaxiBot saves an average of 95 kg of fuel and 299 kg of CO₂ per flight. Furthermore, Schiphol projects that widespread deployment on long taxi routes could reduce fuel consumption during taxiing by up to 65%.
Beyond carbon reduction, the technology significantly lowers emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and ultrafine particles. This creates a healthier working environment for ground staff by drastically cutting localized noise and air pollution on the apron. Reduced engine usage on the ground may also lower long-term aircraft maintenance requirements.
“TaxiBot is another important step in our mission to operate as efficiently as possible. This technology delivers immediate reductions in fuel consumption, carbon emissions and noise, while supporting more efficient ground operations at one of Europe’s busiest airports,” stated David Morgan, Chief Operating Officer at easyJet, in the press release.
Esmé Valk, Chief People & Transformation Officer at Royal Schiphol Group, added: “By deploying the TaxiBot, we’re taking another practical step towards reduced emissions and noise on the apron. This is how we’re creating a healthier and cleaner workplace, and an ever more sustainable and modern airport that is ready for the future.”
Collaborative Deployment and Future Outlook
Scaling Up for 2030
The initiative is backed by the SESAR HERON project, which receives funding from the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) and the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking. Menzies Aviation also played a crucial role in the ground logistics. In the company statement, Miguel Gomez Sjunnesson, EVP Europe at Menzies Aviation, noted that the introduction demonstrates what can be achieved when technology and industry collaboration come together.
Looking ahead, the press release outlines Schiphol’s ambitious target to achieve fully sustainable, emissions-free taxiing operations by 2030. While Schiphol currently operates the only fully electric TaxiBot globally, the airport expects to introduce three additional electric units later in 2026. Efforts are also underway to certify the technology for other aircraft types, including KLM Cityhopper’s Embraer fleet and Transavia’s Boeing 737s.
AirPro News analysis
We view the deployment of the GEN 2 TaxiBot at Schiphol as a highly practical, near-term measure for the aviation sector’s net-zero journey. While SAF and hydrogen propulsion remain long-term goals with significant supply and technological hurdles, ground-based emissions reductions rely on existing, proven technology. If Schiphol’s rollout proves successful at scale, semi-automated, engine-free taxiing could rapidly become a standard feature at major global hubs within the next decade, particularly at airports facing strict local noise and emissions regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a TaxiBot?
A TaxiBot is a semi-robotic, towbarless electric tractor that lifts an aircraft’s nose wheel and tows it from the gate to the runway. It allows the aircraft to keep its main engines turned off during the taxi phase, saving fuel and reducing emissions.
How much fuel does the TaxiBot save?
According to easyJet, the technology saves an estimated 95 kg of aviation fuel and prevents 299 kg of CO₂ emissions per flight.
Who controls the aircraft during towing?
The pilot remains in full control of the aircraft, steering the TaxiBot directly from the cockpit using the standard tiller.
Are other airlines using this technology at Schiphol?
Currently, the fully electric GEN 2 TaxiBot is deployed for easyJet’s Airbus A320neo fleet. However, Schiphol is working on certifying the technology for KLM Cityhopper’s Embraer fleet and Transavia’s Boeing 737s.
Sources
Sustainable Aviation
Singapore Airlines Signs SAF Offtake Deal with Aether Fuels
Singapore Airlines commits to buying SAF from Aether Fuels’ Project Beacon facility in Singapore, due online in 2028.
Singapore Airlines (SQ) has finalized a firm purchase agreement to offtake next-generation Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) from Aether Fuels, becoming the first carrier to commit to the upcoming Project Beacon production facility in Singapore.
Announced in a joint press release on 28 October 2026, the agreement transitions a previous memorandum of understanding into a binding contract. The deal secures future fuel volumes to support the airline’s target of replacing 5 percent of its total fuel consumption with SAF by 2030.
Transitioning from framework to firm commitment
The 28 October 2026 announcement builds on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two companies on 4 February 2025. That initial framework outlined the airline’s intention to procure neat SAF for a five-year period, with an option to extend for an additional five years, once Aether commenced commercial production.
While the companies confirmed the transition to a firm offtake agreement, the exact fuel volumes and financial terms were not disclosed in the release.
Project Beacon and the Aurora technology
Aether Fuels, a climate technology firm incubated and funded in 2022 by Temasek-backed deep tech venture firm Xora, officially launched Project Beacon on 11 November 2025. The project is a partnership with Aster, a joint venture between Indonesian chemical and infrastructure company Chandra Asri and commodities trader Glencore.
The commercial-scale SAF facility will be located at Aster’s refining hub on Pulau Bukom in Asia-Pacific in Singapore. Aster acquired this site from Shell to develop a dedicated sustainable fuels footprint. Construction of the facility is scheduled to commence in 2026.
Once operational in 2028, Project Beacon is projected to produce 50 barrels per day, equating to approximately 2,000 tons of SAF annually. The plant will utilize Aether’s proprietary Aurora technology to produce Fischer-Tropsch Synthesized Paraffinic Kerosene (FT-SPK). According to Aether Fuels, this pathway is expected to deliver a minimum 70 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional jet fuel.
De-risking commercial scale-up
The firm offtake agreement follows a critical technical milestone for Aether Fuels. On 29 September 2026, the company announced the successful operation of a fully integrated demonstration line at RTI International in North America.
The 2.5 barrel-per-day system combined Aether’s Aurora Tri-Converter and Upgrader units with an existing Fischer-Tropsch reactor. The demonstration successfully converted renewable natural gas derived from landfill gas and captured industrial carbon dioxide into synthetic aviation fuel meeting ASTM D7566 specifications. This successful run provided the engineering data required to de-risk the design and scale-up of the Project Beacon facility ahead of its construction phase.
Singapore’s SAF ecosystem and airline targets
The aviation industry is increasingly reliant on SAF to meet decarbonization targets, but feedstock availability remains a primary bottleneck. Aether’s FT-SPK pathway addresses this by utilizing industrial waste gases and biomethane, bypassing the constrained agricultural and lipid-based feedstocks, such as used cooking oil, that dominate current SAF production.
The agreement aligns with broader regional regulatory shifts. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has mandated a SAF levy for flights departing Singapore starting in 2026 to fund centralized SAF procurement. Singapore Airlines, which operates a fleet with an average age of under eight years, has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
AirPro News analysis
We view this firm offtake agreement as a clear indicator of the tightening future market for non-lipid SAF. The aviation sector’s reliance on Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) SAF is running into hard limits regarding used cooking oil and tallow availability. By committing to Aether’s FT-SPK product before the Project Beacon facility has even broken ground, Singapore Airlines is moving aggressively to lock in alternative feedstock pathways.
This early commitment is necessary for airlines aiming to meet 2030 mandates. The lead times for financing, constructing, and scaling novel waste-to-fuel facilities span several years, meaning airlines cannot wait for commercial production to begin before securing their supply lines.
Sustainable Aviation
SABA Members Back Infinium eSAF Facility With Long-Term Deals
Google, McKinsey, and others sign binding SAFc agreements to support Infinium Energy’s 100,000 MT/year Texas eSAF project.
Corporate members of the Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance (SABA) have signed binding, multi-year agreements to purchase sustainable aviation fuel certificates (SAFc) from Infinium Energy’s planned electro-sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF) facility in Texas. The commitments, announced on September 22, 2026, are designed to provide the financial demand signals necessary for Infinium to reach a final investment decision on the project.
In a press release issued by SABA, the organization confirmed that American Airlines (AA) will serve as the physical offtaker for the fuel, managing logistics and delivery. The corporate buyers purchasing the associated certificates include AVEVA, Bain & Company, Google, and McKinsey & Company. The agreement marks the first time SABA’s procurement model has been utilized to directly drive new production capacity for scalable sustainable aviation fuel.
Project Atlas production and environmental targets
Infinium Energy was selected through a SABA procurement process earlier in 2026 to provide ultra-low carbon eSAF. The fuel is produced using waste carbon dioxide and renewable energy, distinguishing it from traditional biofuel pathways that rely on agricultural or waste feedstocks.
The planned Texas facility, designated Project Atlas, is expected to have an annual sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production capacity of 100,000 metric tons. According to the alliance, the contracted volumes will support an expected greenhouse gas abatement of 212,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (mtCO2e). SABA equates this emissions reduction to approximately 3,500 commercial flights between John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
“We’re proud to partner with SABA members including AVEVA, Bain & Company, Google, McKinsey, and others, as well as American Airlines to bring Infinium Energy’s next world scale eSAF facility to life. Their commitment reflects a shared conviction that decarbonizing aviation requires real investment in next-generation supply,” said Robert Schuetzle, CEO of Infinium Energy.
Aggregating demand through book-and-claim
The transaction utilizes a book-and-claim model. Corporate buyers purchase the SAFc to claim the environmental benefits against their business travel emissions, while the physical fuel is delivered to partner airlines. This mechanism allows corporations to fund SAF production even when the physical fuel cannot be delivered directly to the airports their employees use.
American Airlines will manage the physical integration of the eSAF into the commercial aviation fuel supply chain. Jill Blickstein, Chief Sustainability Officer at American Airlines, stated that the corporate commitments broaden participation in the SAF market and demonstrate how customers can collaborate with airlines and fuel producers to advance decarbonization.
SABA, a joint initiative of the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), the Center for Green Market Activation (GMA), and RMI, has aggregated $500 million in SAFc demand from 35 companies to date. Aviation currently accounts for approximately 2 to 3 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
“Novel technologies are critical to meeting future demand for sustainable aviation fuel, but they will not be operational in time without investments made today. This procurement demonstrates how aggregated, long-term demand can help take promising eSAF projects from idea to reality,” said Jon Creyts, CEO of RMI.
AirPro News analysis
We view this agreement as a critical structural step for the eSAF market. Power-to-Liquid (PtL) fuels like those planned for Project Atlas face a steep commercialization barrier. They are highly capital-intensive to build and currently produce fuel at a significant cost premium compared to both conventional Jet A and HEFA-based SAF derived from waste fats and oils.
Airlines operate on thin margins and generally cannot absorb the full green premium of eSAF alone. By unbundling the environmental attributes from the physical fuel, the SABA model allows highly capitalized corporate entities like Google and McKinsey & Company to absorb that premium. More importantly, signing binding, multi-year offtake agreements provides the revenue certainty that infrastructure lenders require before financing first-of-a-kind industrial facilities. If Project Atlas reaches a positive final investment decision based on these contracts, it will validate the book-and-claim model as a viable financing mechanism for next-generation aerospace infrastructure.
Sources: Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance via PR Newswire
Sustainable Aviation
EU Exceeds 2025 SAF Mandate at 2.79 Percent Blend Rate
EASA reports EU airports hit 2.79% SAF blend in 2025, surpassing the 2% ReFuelEU mandate with 1.1M tonnes supplied.
The European Union surpassed its initial Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) mandate in 2025, with SAF accounting for 2.79 percent of all jet fuel supplied to EU airports during the first mandatory reporting year.
According to the 2026 ReFuelEU Aviation Annual Technical Report published by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on September 17, 2026, fuel suppliers delivered 1.1 million tonnes of SAF against a total aviation fuel supply of 39.3 million tonnes. The 2.79 percent blend rate comfortably exceeded the 2 percent minimum required by the ReFuelEU regulation for 2025. This uptake resulted in an estimated reduction of 3.77 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent greenhouse gas emissions.
“We are pleased to confirm that the SAF mandate under ReFuelEU Aviation was not only met but exceeded,” EASA Executive Director Florian Guillermet stated in the agency’s press release.
Compliance and distribution across European hubs
The EASA report indicates high compliance rates across the sector. Ninety-three percent of aircraft operators and 90 percent of fuel suppliers fulfilled their reporting obligations in 2025. EASA noted that noncompliance among aircraft operators was primarily limited to small business jet operators, nonscheduled carriers, and third-country operators that failed to respond to competent authorities.
SAF distribution reached 121 Airports across all 27 Member States, representing 79 percent of all Union airports. Uptake was heavily concentrated at major European hubs. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) accounted for 29 percent of the tracked SAF supply, followed by Frankfurt Airport (FRA) at 8 percent and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) at 7 percent.
Supply chain dynamics and feedstock dependencies
While the headline blending figures demonstrate regulatory success, the technical report reveals a structural reliance on imported raw materials. Although 86 percent of the SAF supplied at EU airports was refined domestically within the European Union, 85 percent of the underlying feedstocks originated from outside the bloc.
The primary feedstock utilized was Used Cooking Oil (UCO) processed via the Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) pathway. Of the imported feedstocks, 61 percent originated from China, with additional volumes sourced from Malaysia and Indonesia. On the refining side, Neste’s Rotterdam facility alone produced 33 percent of all European SAF in 2025.
AirPro News analysis
The successful implementation of the 2 percent mandate in 2025 proves that the logistical framework for SAF distribution at major European hubs is functional. However, the heavy reliance on Asian Used Cooking Oil presents a long-term vulnerability for European aviation. As the ReFuelEU mandate scales to 6 percent in 2030, the Regulations will also introduce sub-mandates for synthetic aviation fuels (e-fuels). With approximately 50 synthetic fuel projects awaiting final investment decisions and no large-scale e-fuel facilities currently operational in Europe, we anticipate significant capital mobilization will be required over the next 36 months to prevent future supply bottlenecks and reduce dependency on imported biomass.
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