Groupe Alvest
News
23/04/2020
TaxiBot Semi-Robotic Towing Tractor to Trial at Schiphol Airport
Today Schiphol and Smart Airport Systems announce it’s trial for sustainable taxiing at Schiphol airport in cooperation with the partners Air Traffic Control Netherlands (LVNL), the Ministry of I&W, Corendon Dutch Airlines, KLM, Transavia, EasyJet and handlers Dnata and KLM Ground Services.
The technology behind this trial, the TaxiBot, is provided by Smart Airport Systems (SAS), a sister company to the prominent designer and manufacturer of airport ground support equipment TLD and IAI (Israël Aerospace Industry).
The mission of SAS is to provide innovative sustainable solutions for airlines and airports to help them reduce CO2 and NOx emissions, generate fuel savings, and increase the operational efficiencies at airports. For this SAS has developed several solutions that are available today and bring significant emission reduction.
Maxime Mahieu, CEO of Smart Airport Systems commented: “We are extremely pleased with this test of sustainable taxiing in cooperation with one of the world’s most innovative airports. We are impressed by Schiphol’s motivation which reflects in quality of the partnership they have created. All key stakeholders are aligned to show that SAS existing solutions can bring significant environmental improvements today” .
Hassan Charaf, Head of Innovation at the Royal Schiphol Group, commented:
“This study fits with our ambition to be the most sustainable airport in the world. I am proud that together with our partners we are exploring what sustainable taxiing at Schiphol can mean”.
The TaxiBot trial is part of an on-going feasibility study on sustainable taxiing at Schiphol Airport. Additional criteria will include how sustainable taxiing can be incorporated into daily operations, whether it can be achieved extensively across the airport and implementation timescales.
The ’TaxiBot’ is a semi-robotic tow vehicle developed by TLD and IAI, fully controlled by the Aircraft pilot when it tows the aircraft from terminal to runway, and back, without the use of the aircrafts engines. The hybrid TaxiBot is powered by a combination of electric and diesel engines that allow it to consume 95% less fuel during taxiing than the more commonly used aircraft engines. The TaxiBot is already in operation in India in both Delhi and Bangalore airports.
At Schiphol Airport aircraft engines are used on average 14 minutes to taxi departing aircraft and 9 minutes for arriving aircraft.
As aircraft engines still require spooling to their optimum operating temperature prior to take off, the saving brought by the TaxiBot are estimated to be between 50% and 85% of the average fuel consumption normally associated with the taxiing mission.
There are also a number additional benefits including – a reduction in noise pollution, CO2 and NOx emissions and foreign object debris whilst also delivering huge environmental advantages.
The trial is set to run until the end of June after which the study will conclude in Autumn 2020.
AES Ready to Support the International GSE Markets
An Important Message From Alvest Equipment Services
COVID-19.
With the fallout from this pandemic possibly lasting longer than originally anticipated the hardest hit industry is our aviation family.
The road to recovery will require some careful planning and patience.
Alvest Equipment Services.
Alvest Equipment Services (AES), an Alvest Group company, offers a full range of services for the ground support equipment (GSE) and the airport environment.
AES is ready to offer support to our customers and partners to assist you in braving the financial hardships allowing you to steadily recover, and return to our industry stronger than ever.
AES offers tailor-made services with high quality standards, delivered with strong technical knowledge and supply chain expertise.
How we can assist you.
If long term planning and financial forecasts are being challenged, AES can offer you short-term rental and operational lease solutions.
If your plans lacks the capital funds to be viable, we can offer you a fleet buy out and lease back solutions with or without a full maintenance service agreement.
If you have limited CapEx to renew your fleet, we have a number of equipment overhaul options available for you.
AES has the full backing of the Alvest Group, and access to an impressive variety of GSE and financial services to aid you through these challenging months…talk to us and find out how we can help your business.
Contact us HERE
AES – Always ahead of your GSE Services Requirement.
‘TractEasy’ Enters Final Rounds of IFOY Intralogistics Awards Category
The IFOY Awards are not only considered to be the largest but also the toughest intralogistics test in the world. At the IFOY test days on the exhibition grounds in Hannover, Germany 16 products and solutions nominated for the IFOY AWARD from 15 manufacturers underwent a whole week of elaborate, multi-stage testing. 27 jurors from 19 nations put the nominated devices and solutions through their paces.
There are 13 categories, that cover almost all areas of intralogistics including special vehicles, automated guided vehicle systems (AGVs), shuttles, robots, software and apps.
TLD and Easymile joined forces to create the ’TractEasy’ autonomous baggage tractor that is currently on trial at a number of large international airports. The ‘TractEasy’ been entered into the Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) & Intralogistics category where it has progressed to the final rounds with the results being published in July 2020.
The ’TractEasy’ also enjoyed a feature in the official IFOY MGZN that was published on Monday – https://ifoy.org/en/ifoy-mgzn
We wish all the TLD, and SAS, personnel involved with the IFOY Award the best of luck!
Alvest Continue to Assist in Covid-19 Pandemic.
Alvest is proud to be supplying key GSE and services at airports around the world in support of the aviation industry and its essential logistical role.
Alvest with IATA to safely manage GSE storage
One of the governing bodies of our industry, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), has developed together with the Medical Advisory Group (MAG), a reference guide for Ground Handling during the COVID-19 outbreak.
In an effort to support the industry, Alvest group is fully backing the initiative, particularly the detailed and secured steps proposed to manage GSE storage, that can be found on page 11 of the guide – HERE.
TLD – AERO Specialties – Smart Airport Systems – Alvest Equipment Services
Smart Airport Systems Continue Worldwide Support.
COVID-19 has now spread globally and is having a huge impact on our aviation industry.
The health and safety of our employees remain our primary concern, however, our mission to serve and support our customers as we continue to reduce airport pollution and increase operational efficiency in these difficult times is still paramount.
The Smart Airport Systems (SAS) sales team and technical support staff are available to assist our customers wherever they may be located, and can be contacted through the website – www.smart-airport-systems.com/contact/
SAS remains dedicated to its environmental conscious airport solutions at all times, and looks forward to continue paving the way for a greener future.
#solutionsforsustainableaviation
‘TRACTEASY’ RECEIVES FURTHER PRAISE FROM IFOY ORGANISATION
The results of the IFOY AWARD’s innovation check on the collaborative TLD and Easymile ‘TractEasy’ – an autonomous electric baggage tractor – have been published.
High scores were awarded.
Their verdict? ✅
“By increasing productivity and reducing operational costs, TractEasy provides more flexibility. Both from a technical perspective with the ability to easily re-allocate the vehicle as well as from a human resource perspective with reduced handling of sick leave, vacations and training. Because the vehicle can be used indoors as well as outdoors, new doors open for autonomous transport in intralogistics.”
TractEasy is available from Smart Airport Systems as part of their mission to provide sustainable, environmental, solutions for aviation.
Visit the Smart Airport Systems website for more information on this innovative GSE.
TractEasy Wins IFOY ‘Best in Intralogistics‘ Certificate.
The forward thinking development teams at Smart Airport Systems and Easymile have been recognised at the IFOY Award for the pioneering joint ‘TractEasy’ driverless tow-tractor project at this years event held in Hanover, Germany.
The EasyMile team were on hand to receive the certificate for ‘Best in Intralogistics‘ category for the Innovative ground support equipment.
Congratulations to everyone involved in this exciting autonomous transport solution, to be seen at an airport near you soon!
NAIS 2020
The National Aviation Infrastructure Forum & Show (NAIS) is the recognised industry event in Russia and CIS for professionals engaged in the modernisation and development of travel routes and civil aviation infrastructure.
TLD were joined by sister ALVEST companies AERO Specialties and Smart Airport Systems at this years event at the Crocus Expo, Moscow. The important two day industry exhibition has a strong emphasis on aviation related environmental issues, product support and maximising GSE longevity.
The large open-sided stand represented the equipment and services offered by the 3 Alvest entities with sales teams from each division available to offer advice and solutions to any aviation enquiry.
Boeing 777X maiden flight roll-out with TLD TPX-500
Congratulations to Boeing for the 777X maiden flight ! As for all flights the first move on the ground is carried out by #smartgse and we are proud at TLD to see our TPX-500 pushing back that great aircraft !
See more on the following video: https://youtu.be/hTXsLlHd-38
