Japan Airlines to Wash Aircraft
Japan Airlines (JAL) has introduced the AW3 aircraft washing robot, developed by Swedish company Aerowash, at Tokyo Narita Airport for cleaning aircraft exterior surfaces. Operator training is currently underway, and the system is expected to enter full service by the end of 2026. According to JAL, the AW3 will be the first program-controlled collaborative aircraft washing robot of its kind to be used by an airline in Japan.
The battery-powered AW3 can be used on a range of narrowbody and widebody aircraft, including the Boeing 737, 767 and 787, as well as the Airbus A350. Based on pre-programmed aircraft types, the system automatically positions its robotic arm near selected areas such as the wings and tail. During the final stage, when the robot makes contact with the aircraft surface, an operator precisely controls the system remotely.
According to the manufacturer, the robot can reduce aircraft washing labor requirements by up to 40 percent and water consumption by up to 50 percent compared with conventional methods. Following its introduction at Narita, JAL will consider deploying the system at other airports across Japan. The airline also tested a wired, remotely controlled aircraft washing system around 32 years ago, but the technology available at the time prevented it from being adopted for continuous operational use.
