The improvement of environmental performance of airports is without doubt one of the key challenges of many, if not all, airports. While the technology is available to support green ground and taxiing operations, one important missing link is a CONOPS that integrates the technological enablers in operations and addresses the features and requirements of new technology to maximise environmental benefits and operational efficiency.
The Airport Operations Team (AOT) Sustainable Taxiing Taskforce – a forum of operational and technical stakeholders - has delivered a high-level CONOPS that includes recommendations and considerations for implementation of sustainable taxi operations. The CONOPS, based on a simplified model of taxi operations, demonstrates the environmental benefit potential to reduce fuel and emissions (in addition to improvement of Local Air Quality and noise at the apron), but also addresses possible operational improvements in operations with sustainable taxi solutions.
The reduction-potential of noise, Local Air Quality and Emissions of Sustainable Taxi solutions are very significant in comparison to other air traffic management related reductions. The analysis shows that emission reductions of up to 400 kg of CO2 are possible (standard LTO taxi-out times, A320 family). Sustainable Taxi solutions should be therefore seriously considered as part of the overall sustainability package of the aviation sector.