Japan Airlines (JAL) is set to trial humanoid robots at Haneda Airport in Tokyo to tackle labor shortages in the aviation industry. Beginning in early May, the two-year trial will see robots developed by Unitree Robotics assist baggage handlers on the tarmac. These robots, standing approximately 130 cm tall, are designed to transport luggage and cargo, thereby reducing the physical strain on ground staff at one of the world's busiest airports, which serves over 60 million passengers annually. The trial, conducted in collaboration with GMO Internet Group, will assess the robots' operational effectiveness until 2028, with potential future roles including aircraft cabin cleaning. JAL Ground Service president Yoshiteru Suzuki emphasized that while robots will take on physically demanding tasks, critical safety responsibilities will remain with human staff. This initiative comes as Japan experiences a surge in international tourism, with over 7 million travelers visiting in the first two months of 2026, following a record 42.7 million arrivals in the previous year. The country faces a projected need for 6.5 million foreign workers by 2040 to maintain economic growth, highlighting the urgency of addressing labor shortages in the sector.