British Airways’ Remote Controlled Mototok Tugs Reach 100,000 Departures

British Airways recently celebrated its 100,000th aircraft pushback using the airline’s fully-electric, remote-controlled Mototok tugs.

The tugs have been used to manoeuvre the airline’s 140-strong short-haul fleet out to the runway for take-off during the last two years.

The airline’s operators use a remote-control to move the Mototok Spacer 8600 and wear a wireless headset to keep in direct contact with the pilots on board the aircraft while it is pushed out to the runway.

British Airways now has 25 Mototoks in use at Heathrow, with a vehicle ready to go on each one of its short-haul aircraft stands at Terminal 5.

Previously, the airline used diesel tugs to push its smallest aircraft back, but these were shared between stands and could slow down the departure process.

Tom Stevens, British Airways’ Head of Airports Operations, said, “I’m delighted that we’ve hit this momentous Mototok milestone. We are the most punctual of the major short-haul airlines flying out of London and this technology helps us stay at the top. British Airways is at the forefront of airport innovation, from the self-service and biometric technology our customers use to quickly board flights, to these automatic pushback vehicles, and our commitment to enhancing and streamlining the customer experience through technology will only increase as we continue our £6.5 billion investment for customers.”

See also: ANA Trials Remotely Operated Airplane Pushback Tug.

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