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Are automated cleaners an all-weather solution for airlines

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Are automated cleaners an all-weather solution for airlines
Research
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Stephanie Painter International Sales | AviationPros

Aircraft cleaning presents numerous challenges for airlines, from dealing with environmental factors to ensuring efficiency and sustainability. Whether the temperature outside is sub-zero or the airfield is exposed to a sandstorm, the aircraft needs to be cleaned. Automated systems, like those from Nordic Dino, provide a versatile and effective solution to the many challenges airlines face.

It is clear that different climates and environments pose unique challenges to maintaining aircraft cleanliness:

- **Sandy Environments**: Desert areas expose aircraft to sand, causing abrasive wear and tear. Frequent and thorough cleaning is necessary to maintain the aircraft's condition. This regular cleaning protects the aircraft’s paint and components from abrasive damage.

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- **Salty Environments**: Coastal regions expose aircraft to salt, which can be highly corrosive. Just as with the accumulation of sand, regular cleaning is essential to prevent damage from the accumulation of salt. Veronika Andrianovaite, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Nordic Dino Robotics AB, states, "Like with sand, regular cleaning in salty environments is crucial to maintain aircraft integrity and protect against corrosion."

- **Cold Climates**: In colder regions, using water for cleaning can be hazardous due to freezing temperatures. Still, Andrianovaite says, “While automated systems are mainly used in the warmer months, they still offer significant benefits during operational periods.”

Traditional aircraft cleaning methods often involve extensive use of water and detergents, leading to environmental waste and higher costs. Automated systems use a mix of 90% water and 10% detergent, significantly reducing detergent usage and minimizing ecological impact.

Andrianovaite explains, "With the robot, we use significantly less detergent, which is both cost-effective and environmentally friendly. For example, some airlines used to apply 100% detergent manually, which was expensive and wasteful. Our system uses a controlled mixture that greatly reduces this waste."

Manual aircraft cleaning is labor-intensive and time-consuming. For wide-body aircrafts it can take up to 20 personnel several hours. Automated systems drastically reduce cleaning time allowing for quicker turnaround improved operational efficiency.

"Manually people can wash a wide-body aircraft in 8-10 hours with robot we can reduce that time 3-4 hours saving lot ground time," Andrianovaite points out reduction ground time crucial airlines directly impacts their operational efficiency profitability.

Automated cleaning systems designed work efficiently across various climates conditions adapt needs different environments ensuring thorough effective cleaning versatility key success.

In sandy salty environments frequent cleaning essential protect aircraft's paint components Andrianovaite states "Our robots help maintain aircraft providing regular thorough cleanings manual methods can't match."

Automated systems provide benefits beyond improved cleaning workers appreciate ease use reduction physical strain initial concerns job impacts often dissipate advantages improved working conditions realized.

Andrianovaite explains "When workers see robot's results realize improves working conditions without threatening jobs Union representatives often see tool enhance work conditions not threat employment."

One Nordic Dino’s clients major European airline faced challenges manual particularly appreciated reduction physical strain improved efficiency "They have 60-70 people involved washing process unions initially feared job losses but after seeing robot action recognized its benefits improving working conditions," says Andrianovaite.

Automated aircraft cleaning systems address multifaceted challenges maintenance offering universal solution enhances efficiency reduces environmental impact adapts diverse conditions These demonstrate potential innovation aviation providing cleaner safer more reliable operations.

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