TOKYO - Japan Airlines Co. said Friday that it will introduce a robot that washes aircraft exteriors at Narita airport, near Tokyo, the first to do so among domestic airlines.
The AW3 robot, developed by Sweden-based Aerowash AB, can clean an aircraft using a remotely operated telescopic arm and will start full-scale operation later this year, after staff complete necessary training, the airline said.
The airline said some manual cleaning will continue with long-handled mops but that is expects labor hours to be reduced by up to 40 percent per aircraft.
Apart from reducing workloads, automation will reduce the risk to staff of working at heights and exposure to chemicals, it said.
JAL held a demonstration for the press at its aircraft washing facility at Narita airport in Chiba Prefecture on Friday, showcasing both the current manual washing method and the automated washing method using the AW3.
Atsuki Kino of JAL's Airport Ground Handling Planning Department said, "The goal is not to reduce staff, but to reduce their workloads so they can use the time saved to perform other high-value tasks, changing the way they work."
JAL plans to introduce one unit at Narita airport initially and will consider introducing the robot at other airports.
