Air Canada Invests In New Robots To Wash Aircraft

Aerowash says the robots can shorten the wash process by up to 60% compared to manual washing methods over time, which will provide time and cost savings for airlines and airports. With fewer hours required to clean aircraft, man-hours and maintenance time are reduced.

Operated by a wireless remote control, Aerowash automated washing robots can wash aircraft of any size using a gentle rotating brush on a mechanical arm. The robot’s brush can be adjusted to different angles, which allows it to accommodate different aircraft shapes. Aerowash says the wireless remote control and crane tip control are easy to operate, although the company provides training for operators and maintenance personnel depending on a customer’s needs.

To protect the robot’s operator and the aircraft body, Aerowash robots include alarm indicators and safety sensors that adjust space between the brush and the aircraft being washed. The company’s AW 8 robots can clean narrowbody aircraft while the AW 12 robots can clean widebody aircraft.

Aerowash CEO Niklas Adler says Air Canada’s order is strategically important for the North American market, considering the airline’s status as one of the world’s 10 largest airlines. “I have a strong belief that this order will be followed by many more during the coming years,” says Adler. 

Other current customers using Aerowash automated robots include Qatar Airways and Finnair.