Japan Airlines (JAL) announced on August 23 that it will deploy robots to wash aircraft exteriors at Narita International Airport, located near Tokyo. This marks the first time a Japanese domestic airline has adopted such automation for aircraft cleaning operations.
According to the announcement, the washing robots are designed to clean the exterior of the fuselage and wings with high precision, saving time and labor compared to traditional manual methods. Previously, exterior cleaning required numerous workers operating on elevated platforms, which posed safety risks and was less efficient.
The deployment is expected to shorten aircraft turnaround times between flights, boost operational efficiency, and improve working conditions by reducing risks for ground staff. This move is seen as the latest step in the broader trend of applying automation and artificial intelligence in the aviation services sector.
A JAL representative emphasized that the airline will continue monitoring the robot’s performance at Narita to evaluate the potential for expanding deployment to other airports it operates in the future.
