Japan Airlines will trial baggage-handling robots at Haneda from May, testing them alongside staff until 2028.
Robots are set to start sharing baggage duties at one of Tokyo’s busiest airports, with Japan Airlines rolling out an automated helping hand at Haneda.
From the beginning of May, Misryoum says the carrier will introduce robots to assist with baggage handling at Haneda airport. The robots will work alongside airport staff as part of an experiment planned to run until 2028, with the aim of assessing how well the system fits day-to-day operations.
The focus_keyphrase here is “airport baggage robots,” and the trial is designed around real schedules rather than a closed test. Haneda processes around 60 million travellers each year, meaning any improvement or disruption would be felt quickly across busy periods.
Misryoum notes that the robots are about 130 centimetres tall and were built by a Chinese company. They can operate for about two to three hours before needing a recharge during the day, and they are not dependent on rest breaks like human staff.
Still, they are not meant to run completely on their own. Airport workers will need to guide and manage the robots, reflecting a model where automation supports people rather than fully replacing them at first.
This matters because trials like this can shift how teams are organized, even when the machines are positioned as “helpers.” If baggage throughput stays smooth and staffing strain drops, more airlines may look to similar systems.
Japan Airlines also indicated the trial could lead to longer-term use if results are positive, potentially turning the robots into part of the permanent workforce. Misryoum says the company is also considering expanding their roles to tasks beyond baggage, such as cleaning aircraft cabins.
JAL manager Yoshiteru Suzuki said the robots could reduce pressure from physically demanding work. At the same time, Misryoum highlights that concerns remain among the public that automation could eventually reduce human roles.
For now, the company says some responsibilities, including safety management, will remain for humans only. Misryoum adds that this balance between efficiency and oversight will likely shape how the trial is judged over the coming years.
In the end, the main question is not whether robots can move luggage, but whether airport operations can stay reliable while human workers focus on tasks that require judgement and accountability.