Tokyo — Japan Airlines is taking a significant step toward modernizing its ground operations by introducing humanoid robots to the airport ramp in a pioneering national trial.
Announced on April 27, 2026, the collaboration between JAL Grand Service and GMO AI & Robotics Trading will begin testing in May at Haneda Airport. The multi-phase demonstration, planned to run through 2028, marks the first experiment of its kind in Japan using bipedal humanoid robots for airport ground handling.
Ground operations remain among the most labor-intensive aspects of aviation. Staff must maneuver specialized equipment in confined spaces near aircraft, rapidly load and unload baggage and cargo, and maintain tight schedules. These roles are physically taxing, and Japan’s aviation sector is confronting a widening staffing gap driven by a declining working-age population coupled with strong growth in international travel.
Earlier automation approaches using conventional industrial robots or dedicated fixed systems have encountered limitations. They often struggle to adapt to the varied, unpredictable conditions on the tarmac and typically require substantial modifications to facilities or aircraft. Humanoid designs offer a different path. Their human-shaped bodies and range of motion allow them to potentially use existing tools and navigate current environments with fewer alterations.
The project will unfold gradually. Teams will first observe and document current workflows at Haneda to identify suitable tasks and ensure safety. Repeated trials in simulated airport settings will follow, with the long-term objective of having the robots work side-by-side with employees on repetitive or strenuous duties. Specific early tests are expected to focus on cargo container transport, lever operations and similar movements. Models involved include the Unitree G1 and UBTech Walker E, provided through GMO’s rental service.
JAL Grand Service, which has managed ground handling for the JAL Group since 1951, will supply operational expertise, help set performance requirements and verify that the systems meet rigorous safety standards. GMO AI & Robotics Trading will furnish the robots and refine their movement algorithms, drawing on experience from its recently opened humanoid research facility in Shibuya and its Humanoid Dispatch Service. The wider GMO Internet Group has designated 2026 as the “First Year of Humanoids,” underscoring its commitment to practical AI and robotics deployment.
Organizers emphasize that the goal is not to displace workers but to reduce physical workloads and allow human staff to concentrate on higher-value activities such as safety oversight and complex problem-solving. Success could eventually lead to expanded use across other airports and help foster more resilient ground handling amid ongoing demographic challenges.
The trial arrives as the global aviation industry explores robotics and automation to improve efficiency and sustainability. While still in its early stages, the JAL-GMO project offers a glimpse into how humanoid technology might reshape airport operations in the coming years, potentially setting precedents for similar initiatives worldwide.