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JAL launches two-year robotics trial to address labor shortages
Japan Airlines (JAL) will begin testing humanoid robots for ground handling tasks at Tokyo's Haneda Airport next month, aiming to reduce the physical strain on its workforce amid a growing labor crisis in Japan's aviation sector.
Robots to handle cargo as first step
During a media demonstration on Monday, JAL and its partner, GMO AI & Robotics, revealed that the Chinese-manufactured robots will initially be tasked with loading and unloading cargo containers. The trial is scheduled to run for two years.
The airline, which employs approximately 4,000 ground staff, hopes to eventually expand the robots' roles to include cabin cleaning and operating ground support equipment.
Labor crunch drives automation push
Japan's aviation industry is grappling with a severe labor shortage, fueled by a surge in inbound tourism and a shrinking working-age population. The country recorded over seven million foreign visitors in the first two months of 2026 alone, according to data from JTB Group, Japan's largest travel agency.
While airports appear highly automated, GMO AI & Robotics President Tomohiro Uchida noted that back-end operations still depend heavily on manual labor, exacerbating the shortage.
Robots to ease physical demands on workers
JAL's Ground Service President Yoshiteru Suzuki emphasized that deploying robots for physically taxing tasks would provide "significant benefits" to employees. However, he clarified that certain responsibilities, particularly those related to safety management, would remain exclusively human-led.
Robots are already in use at some Japanese airports for security patrols and retail operations, but JAL's trial marks a step toward broader adoption in core ground handling functions.
Future expansion planned if trial succeeds
If the Haneda Airport trial proves successful, JAL may integrate humanoid robots into additional airports and operational areas, further alleviating pressure on its workforce.
