Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) is in the final stages of preparation for the operation of industry-standard towbarless vehicles for aircraft towing at Velana International Airport (VIA).
The TPX- 200 MTX model towbarless vehicle represents the gold standard in efficiency and safety for towing aircraft from the apron to the runway.
MACL said the vehicles will increase operational and ground handling efficiency by 60 percent and speed up the movement of aircraft. The truck is used in major aviation hubs like Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Singapore.
Towbarless vehicles eliminate the need for a towbar, saving time and reducing the complexity of connecting and disconnecting equipment while handling various aircraft types without needing specialized towbars for each, making them ideal for ground handlers dealing with diverse fleets.
Head of Ramp Services Ali Shareef said the company is working hard to secure the latest equipment and vehicles to ensure safety and security at the VIA. The new trucks will speed up the time it takes to load the aircraft and provide a safer and more secure service, he said.
According to MACL, eight trained operators of the new vehicles are awaiting the final risk assessment from stakeholders.