Electric Taxiing Motors Could Save Airlines Millions Of Dollars

I seem to recall reading a couple of years ago that El Al was already using a similar system.

Everybody here has some GREAT points about this product. Yes it will save money, be safer, let the engines run idle, etc. No, this may not work in all WX, it's not a good idea to takeoff with a cold engine, etc. But it would be worth a shot to use it on smaller planes at first.

i think its a win win , even if they started the engines half way to the runway it would still save money , they would remain in idle and be able to monitor the engine for problems before takeoff , I have to admit, it sounds strange to start a jet engine from cold and take off 30 seconds later

Didn't VS / VIR / Virgin Atlantic Airways use a wheel tug a few years ago?

Todd: Think that was Wheeltug. http://airinsight.com/2011/11/07/elal-launches-wheeltug/

I think that's the idea

Yes, theres no answer given for:
Extra weight & fuel costs including the extra engines warmingup time and the in my opinion delayed taking off time. Sry for my Englisch....

Good idea...I believe

As one alluded to. Most jet engines carry a two min warm up and cool down limitation. This is actually already done in paratice with Single engine taxi and not an issue. Also this system would not use batteries but rather the APU to power it.
Seems like a good idea on the surface but has yet to take off on sustaining scale. Also figure tugs are a quauter million dollor investment.

Brilliant at last some sense on the usage of fuel ! taxying costs a fortune and if the aircraft keeps its engines running while waiting for flight control the bill just goes on up (jet fuel)well done Mexican airline!!!!

That's all well and good - until you get an inch of snow or ice. I wonder if they have/will test this. Airplanes do well on snow/ice because the thrust is not friction dependent.

At the hold short is not the time to find out you have an engine problem... Of course the cost would defer to the passengers rather than the company.... ORD or STL in heavy snow just don't see this as a plausible device... Engaging-disengaging and other interface issues..... The 450K savings..... What's that workout to 1/3 of a penny per passenger per year? So would the airline now be a flying car.... FOD was mentioned most US airports have major FOD problems........
Let's do a FOD walk.....

So you get to the end of the runway, start engines and immediately bring the engines up to take off thrust...... No time for them to warm up ???? Great idea!!!

I think there would be a savings and this is good - but airlines are still going to waste jet fuel. I'll think about those savings next time we taxi to the hold area and hear the engines spool up for 5 minutes so the crew can "correct a weight and balance problem". No wonder I paid $900 for a ticket.