Japan’s airports are about to get a little more sci-fi, with Japan Airlines ground handling arm JAL Ground Service Co., Ltd. teaming up with GMO AI & Robotics Corporation to trial humanoid robots at airports from this month.
Yes, humanoid robots. At the airport. In high-vis, presumably. The 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.
The companies say the project is the first of its kind in Japan and will test whether human-shaped machines can tackle some of aviation’s toughest behind-the-scenes jobs, including baggage loading, cabin cleaning and even operating Ground Support Equipment (GSE).
For travellers, it may mean smoother turnarounds and fewer delays. For airport workers, it could mean some welcome relief from one of the most physically demanding jobs in aviation.
Ground handling includes aircraft towing, cargo loading, baggage movement and the endless choreography that happens around a parked plane while passengers are still looking for Gate 42.
Staff shortages
But there’s a catch: it’s hard work, requires serious training and, like many industries globally, aviation is facing staff shortages. Japan says the issue has been amplified by booming inbound tourism and a shrinking working-age population. That’s where the robots roll in.
Unlike traditional automation systems or one-trick machines, these humanoid bots are designed to move more like people, making them better suited to the cramped, complex and often chaotic environment around aircraft.
The big selling point? They can slot into existing airport infrastructure without major rebuilds.
So instead of redesigning terminals, ramps and equipment for robots, the robots are being designed for the airport.
Phased program
The demonstration program will run in phases over the mid to long term. First, airport operations will be analysed to identify where robots can work safely and effectively. Then, trial runs in simulated airport environments will begin, testing how the machines cope with real-world scenarios.
JAL Ground Service, founded in 1951, will bring decades of operational know-how to the project, helping define where the robots can be used and ensuring they meet aviation safety standards.
Meanwhile, GMO AIR will provide the humanoids themselves, along with the software brains and movement programs needed to get them working airport shifts.
The robotics company says it will draw on experience from its “Humanoid Dispatch Service” and the newly opened GMO Humanoid Lab Shibuya Showcase, a dedicated AI and robotics development hub launched in April.
The broader ambition is bigger than moving bags. Both companies say the trial aims to create a sustainable airport workforce model where robots support humans rather than replace them, reducing physical strain and helping fill labour gaps.
GMO Internet Group has even dubbed 2026 the “First Year of Humanoids”. If the trial succeeds, tomorrow’s airport apron could look very different with humans and robots working side by side to get your suitcase onto the right flight.
