Japan Airlines (JAL) is bringing humanoid robots to the tarmac.
Starting May 2026, JAL Grand Service and GMO AI & Robotics Trading will begin testing humanoid robots at Japanese airports in what is being called the first experiment of its kind in the country.
The goal is to see whether robots shaped like humans can help with ground handling tasks such as loading baggage, moving cargo, and eventually even cleaning aircraft cabins.
Why humanoid robots?
Airport ground operations still rely heavily on manual labor. Workers operate various types of equipment in tight spaces around aircraft, load and unload bags, and handle cargo under time pressure. It is physically demanding work, and Japan’s aviation industry is facing a growing shortage of people willing and able to do it.
Japan’s working-age population is shrinking, while inbound tourism continues to rise. The result is a widening gap between the number of workers available and the number of hands needed on the ground.
According to JAL, previous attempts to automate airport operations have run into limitations. Traditional robots and fixed automated systems struggle to adapt to the complex, unpredictable nature of ground handling work. JAL said that humanoid robots offer a potential solution. Because they are shaped like people, they can work within existing airport infrastructure without requiring major modifications to facilities or aircraft.
What the experiment will involve
The project will roll out in phases. The team will initially observe and analyze current airport operations to identify where robots could safely step in. From there, they will conduct repeated tests in environments that simulate real airport conditions.
The long-term goal is to have humanoid robots work alongside humans, handling some of the more physically demanding or repetitive tasks. The companies say this could help reduce workloads for human staff and create a more sustainable operation over time.
JAL Grand Service, which has handled ground operations for the JAL Group since 1951, will contribute its operational expertise and help define what the robots need to do. The company will also evaluate whether the robots meet safety standards.
GMO AI & Robotics Trading, part of the GMO Internet Group, will supply the humanoid robots and develop their movement programming. The company opened a humanoid research facility in Shibuya earlier this month and has been running what it calls a “Humanoid Dispatch Service.”
2026: Year of humanoids
Both companies see the experiment as a step toward solving a broader industry problem. If successful, the technology could eventually be adopted across other airports and ground handling operations.
GMO Internet Group has declared 2026 the “First Year of Humanoids” and is pushing to bring robots into more areas of daily life.
