Japan Airlines (JAL) and Toyota Industries Corporation are set to test Level 4 autonomous towing tractors at Tokyo Haneda Airport in November 2026. The trials will focus on more complex routes, including tunnel sections, to assess the technology’s ability to handle diverse operating conditions. JAL began commercial Level 4 towing operations at Haneda on 15 December 2025, utilizing shared facilities installed by the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB), which include signaling equipment and cameras.
Testing Autonomous Towing in Challenging Environments
The upcoming trials aim to evaluate the performance of driverless towing tractors in environments that differ significantly from existing commercial routes. These tests will examine the practical requirements and challenges of operating autonomous vehicles in tunnels, where conditions such as lighting, ventilation, and spatial constraints can vary greatly. The tunnel sections present a unique challenge due to their distinct operational conditions compared to open-air routes.
JAL and Toyota Industries will also assess how the tractors interact with shared infrastructure developed by the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB). This includes not only the existing signaling equipment and cameras but also additional common-use infrastructure being developed by JCAB. According to a 30 October joint announcement, this evaluation is key for understanding how autonomous vehicles can integrate with evolving airport systems.
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Expanding Autonomous Operations Across Airports
The trials are part of a broader effort to improve ground-handling efficiency and reduce labor requirements at airports. In a 26 October announcement, JAL revealed that Level 4 towing operations had also started at Fukuoka Airport, following earlier deployments at Haneda and Narita Airport. The Fukuoka operation uses a different manufacturer’s vehicle, highlighting the diversity of autonomous solutions being tested across Japan’s airports.
Long-Term Goals and Environmental Impact
JAL and Toyota Industries have outlined long-term objectives that include reducing environmental impact through the use of electric vehicles. The November trials, however, will focus on assessing the technology’s reliability in diverse environments, with specific details about the trial’s start date and duration yet to be disclosed. The companies emphasize that the intended benefits, such as reduced labor and environmental impact, are goals rather than immediate outcomes of these trials.
