Japan Airlines will test humanoid robots at Haneda Airport in Tokyo to assist with luggage handling.

Japan Airlines (JAL) will implement humanoid robots at Haneda Airport in Tokyo, starting in May 2026, as part of an experiment aimed at addressing the labor shortage in Japan. These robots, manufactured in China, will assist in handling luggage and goods, having the capacity to operate between 2 and 3 hours before needing a recharge. JAL Ground Service President, Yoshiteru Suzuki, emphasized that the use of robots will reduce the burden on human employees, in the context of the increasing number of tourists and the aging population.

Although the robots will take on physical tasks, the management of luggage safety will remain the responsibility of employees. JAL is collaborating with GMO Internet Group to assess the efficiency of the robots, and the experiment will conclude in 2028. This initiative comes against the backdrop of a significant increase in tourism, with over 7 million visitors in the first two months of 2026.