Japan Airlines will introduce Aerowash’s program-controlled AW3 aircraft-washing robot at Narita Airport, becoming the first domestic Japanese carrier to deploy the system. The rollout begins at Narita, with full-scale operation planned for 2026 after operational training, and JAL is considering wider use at other airports in Japan. The robot is intended to improve working conditions, reduce manual labour and lift the quality of exterior aircraft washing.
JAL is positioning the project within a broader airport digital-transformation programme. The AW3 is designed to work across a range of aircraft types, from narrowbody to widebody jets, including the Boeing 737, 767 and 787 families and Airbus A350 aircraft. Manufacturer specifications cited by JAL indicate the system can cut washing time by up to 40% compared with traditional manual methods.
The robot combines programmed movement with human fine-tuning near the aircraft rather than operating as a fully autonomous system. That collaborative setup is central to its first deployment at Narita, where JAL will complete operational training before moving to full use.