Reinventing the (airplane) wheel

E-taxi systems could save airlines millions in their oil bills soon

Published Mon, Jul 28, 2014 · 10:00 PM

[SINGAPORE] Airplanes have progressed from wooden propellers to supersonic jets in the last century. But over the years, surprisingly little has changed in their efficiency on land.

Jet engines burn some 200,000 litres of fuel - in a single Boeing 737 - annually taxiing forward, while tugs are still needed to help planes reverse.

A 50:50 joint venture between aviation giants Honeywell and Safran hopes to change that.