Japan Airlines is preparing to deploy humanoid robots on the tarmac at Haneda Airport, in a trial that underscores the aviation sector’s growing reliance on automation to offset labour shortages.
JAL Ground Service, the airline’s airport operations arm, announced it has teamed up with Japanese robotics firm GMO AI & Robotics Trading to trial humanoid robots in ground handling, marking what the companies describe as a first for Japan.
The pilot, due to begin in May 2026, will test whether the human-shaped machines can take on labour-intensive tasks such as baggage loading, aircraft servicing, and equipment operation.
Ground handling remains heavily dependent on manual work carried out in constrained spaces, often involving a mix of specialised vehicles and equipment. Conventional automation has struggled to adapt to this complexity. The partners say that humanoid robots, designed with a similar range of motion to people, could integrate into existing airport environments with minimal modification.
The initiative comes as the aviation sector faces acute labour shortages, driven by a surge in inbound tourism and a shrinking working-age population. Many ground operations require skilled staff and involve significant physical strain, making recruitment and retention increasingly difficult.
The partners said the trial will proceed in stages. Initial work will focus on analysing airport operations to identify tasks suitable for automation, followed by simulations and on-site testing in conditions that replicate live environments. The longer-term aim is to deploy robots alongside human workers to reduce workloads and improve operational resilience.
JAL Ground Service, founded in 1951, will contribute operational expertise and oversee safety and compliance requirements. GMO AI & Robotics Trading will supply the robots and develop the software controlling their movements, drawing on experience from its humanoid robotics programmes, including a recently opened research facility in Tokyo.
Both companies say the project is intended to support more sustainable airport operations by easing labour constraints. The wider GMO Internet Group has labelled 2026 its “first year of humanoids”, signalling a broader push to expand the use of AI-driven robotics across industries.
