Japan Airlines (JAL) is launching a pilot program at Tokyo's Haneda Airport to deploy humanoid robots for baggage and cargo handling starting in May 2026. The Chinese-made robots, which are 4 feet 3 inches tall, will undergo a phased rollout involving environmental mapping and simulated tests before assisting human workers on the tarmac. This initiative aims to address Japan's severe aviation labor shortages caused by a shrinking population and a surge in international tourism. The pilot program will operate under the name of JAL Ground Service and will run through 2028. The project aims to reduce the physical toll on ground handling staff, with JAL anticipating upgrading the robots' task list to include more complex tasks.