Japan Airlines (JAL) is set to introduce humanoid robots for ground handling operations at Tokyo's Haneda Airport starting in May, as part of a multi-year trial designed to alleviate pressure on staff and tackle persistent labour shortages.
Trial Details and Partners
The Japanese flag carrier announced on Monday that the project will be managed by a JAL subsidiary in collaboration with GMO AI & Robotics, a firm focused on promoting the social implementation of artificial intelligence and robotics. The two-year trial will initially concentrate on cargo handling tasks, such as loading and unloading containers. Future applications may include aircraft cabin cleaning and operating ground support equipment, the companies stated.
Addressing Labour Pressures
The trial comes as Japan's aviation sector grapples with growing staffing strains due to an increase in inbound tourism combined with a declining working-age population. JAL currently employs approximately 4,000 ground handling workers. During a media demonstration on Monday, Chinese-made robots were shown performing tasks near an aircraft. One machine, described as 130 cm tall and manufactured by Hangzhou-based Unitree, was observed pushing cargo onto a conveyor belt and waving.
Japan Airlines and its partner explained that humanoid robots were selected because they can operate within existing airport facilities and aircraft layouts without requiring significant modifications. They noted that fixed automated systems and single-purpose robots have struggled to adapt flexibly to these existing infrastructures and complex operational workflows.
Phased Implementation
The phased test, beginning in May 2026, will first assess where robots can operate safely at airport sites. It will then progress to repeated operational checks designed to mirror real airport conditions. The companies indicated that future plans include enabling robots to operate autonomously and expanding the range of duties they can perform.
Tomohiro Uchida, president of GMO AI & Robotics, stated: "While airports appear highly automated and standardised, their back-end operations still rely heavily on human labour and face serious labour shortages." Yoshiteru Suzuki, president of JAL Ground Service, added that using robots for physically demanding work would "inevitably reduce the burden on workers and provide significant benefits to employees," according to Kyodo news agency. He emphasised that some responsibilities, including safety management, would remain with human workers.
Broader Context
Robots are already utilised at some Japanese airports for duties such as security patrols and retail support. Japan recorded over seven million foreign visitors in the first two months of 2026, according to the Japan National Tourism Organisation, which operates the country's largest travel agency. The nation received a record 42.7 million visitors last year.
