Japan Airlines is launching a 2-year trial of humanoid robots for ground operations at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport starting in May 2026.
In partnership with GMO AI & Robotics, the airline will deploy the robots to handle physically demanding tasks such as loading and unloading baggage and cargo containers, with additional testing planned for aircraft cabin cleaning.
The project will reduce the workload on human staff and address chronic labor shortages in Japan’s aviation sector.
The rise in international tourism that has driven passenger numbers to record levels at busy hubs like Haneda is the reason for this.