Japan Airlines Trials Humanoid Robots for Airport Ground Operations in Tokyo
TOKYO: Japan Airlines (JAL) is set to begin using humanoid robots for ground handling operations at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport from May, as part of a two-year trial aimed at reducing employee workload and addressing labour shortages.
According to JAL and its partner GMO AI & Robotics, the initial phase of the project will deploy Chinese-made humanoid robots to assist in loading and unloading cargo containers.
The airline, which employs around 4,000 ground handling staff, said the initiative is part of its broader effort to manage operational challenges caused by a shrinking working-age population and a sharp rise in international tourism.
Japan has seen a significant surge in visitor arrivals, with more than seven million foreign tourists recorded in the first two months of the year, according to JTB Group, the country’s largest travel agency operator.
GMO AI & Robotics President Tomohiro Uchida said that while airport systems may appear highly automated, many back-end operations still depend heavily on manual labour, making them vulnerable to staffing shortages.
The company believes robotics can help ease pressure on workers by taking over physically demanding tasks, while allowing employees to focus on more complex responsibilities.
Japan Airlines also expressed interest in expanding the use of robots in the future, including cabin cleaning and ground support operations. However, officials emphasised that certain critical functions, such as safety management, will continue to require human involvement.
Industry observers note that robotics adoption is growing across Japanese airports, where automation is already being used for security patrols and retail services.
The two-year trial is expected to provide insights into how robotics can be integrated into aviation ground operations while maintaining safety and efficiency standards.
