Low-cost carrier GoAir has taken a significant step to save on fuel consumption per flight, thereby lowering costs for passengers.

The Indian carrier has signed a memorandum of understanding with Honeywell and Safran to support the advancement of the EGTS electric taxiing system, a technology that can save airlines up to 4 per cent block fuel consumption per flight.

EGTS uses electric motors on the main landing gear that enables the aircraft to push back autonomously and taxi on the runway without using its main engines. This development follows an agreement with Airbus in December to jointly evaluate EGTS as an option for the company’s A320 family of airplanes.

GoAir Chief Executive Officer Giorgio De Roni said: “This agreement allows us to actively participate in the system’s development — a technology that we believe has the potential to not only save fuel and reduce costs, but also improve aircraft turnaround times and lower noise and emissions in the airport environment.”

GoAir will provide data on its taxiing operations to Honeywell and Safran to assist in improving the system .

“Where EGTS comes into its own is in supporting high-volume, fast-turnaround, short-haul movements, where aircraft spend a large proportion of the day on the tarmac taxiing,” said Brian Wenig, Vice-President, EGTS Program, Honeywell Aerospace. Olivier Savin, Vice-President, EGTS Program, Safran said: “EGTS is the only onboard system currently in development that can generate enough traction to mitigate the use of engines during taxiing in all weather conditions and at all airports.”

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