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Narita & Haneda Airport jobs are getting fresh attention in 2026 because Tokyo’s two gateways are busier than they have been in years. Narita International Airport handled 40,774,055 passengers in FY2024, up about 16% and above 40 million for the first time since FY2019, while Haneda Airport handled about 85.7 million passengers in calendar 2024, the most of any airport in Japan. The people who keep these flights moving on the ground have been in short supply: at the end of September 2023, Narita could accept only about two-thirds of more than 150 weekly requests for new or extra flights because of ground-handling shortages, and that gap has pushed pay upward. This salary guide is written for freshers, people with warehouse, logistics, hotel or cleaning experience, and anyone who wants to compare what ground staff, baggage handlers, aircraft cleaners and cargo handlers typically earn before choosing which role to apply for.
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Most of this work is not done by the airport operators themselves but by airline group companies and specialist contractors. On the JAL side, JAL Sky recruits ground staff for passenger service at Haneda and Narita, JAL Ground Service covers ramp work such as loading, baggage and cabin cleaning, and JAL Cargo Service is a cargo-handling partner at Narita. On the ANA side, ANA Airport Services at Haneda and ANA Narita Airport Services recruit for passenger service, ramp, cargo and operations roles. Independent firms such as Swissport Japan, Konoike Airport Service, World Enterprise, Kokusai Kuko Uwaya, Eiko, Sunlive and Narita Kuko Biseisha also recruit ground handling, cargo and cleaning staff. These companies recruit such roles; this article does not claim that any particular vacancy is open today.
For foreign nationals, some of these positions may potentially fit the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) Aviation field, mainly airport ground handling duties such as ramp work, baggage and cargo handling and cabin cleaning, depending on exact duties and occupational classification. Check-in counter work is a different case, and each employer decides which residence status, if any, can be used for a given position.
Narita & Haneda Airport Jobs 2026 – Quick Overview
| Job Title | Ground Staff, Baggage Handler, Aircraft Cleaner, Cargo Handler |
| Country | Japan |
| Location | Narita International Airport (Chiba) and Haneda Airport (Tokyo) |
| Employers (examples) | JAL Sky, JAL Ground Service, ANA Airport Services, ANA Narita Airport Services, Swissport Japan, Konoike Airport Service, Eiko, Sunlive |
| Industry | Aviation – Airport Ground Handling and Passenger Service |
| Indicative Salary | About ¥220,000 – ¥230,000 per month (typical entry base pay) |
| Experienced Salary | Some contractor ads list base pay up to ¥300,000 – ¥350,000 |
| Education | Varies by employer; new-graduate ground staff pay is often quoted for vocational, junior college or university graduates |
| Experience | Freshers can apply for many entry-level roles |
| Japanese | Daily-conversation level for field roles; higher level for passenger service |
| Work Type | Full-time, contract and part-time (some cleaning roles) |
| Work Schedule | Rotating shifts, including early mornings, late nights and weekends |
| Accommodation | Not standard; some employers may offer housing support |
| Overtime | Possible during peak periods; paid as per contract |
What Does a Narita & Haneda Airport Worker Do?
An airport ground worker at Narita or Haneda handles everything that happens to passengers, bags, cargo and aircraft between landing and the next take-off.
- Checks in passengers and issues boarding passes at the counter
- Weighs and tags checked baggage and explains baggage rules
- Helps passengers at the boarding gate and with transfers
- Loads and unloads suitcases from the aircraft hold
- Sorts baggage by flight in the baggage make-up area
- Drives tugs, belt loaders and other ground vehicles on the apron
- Guides aircraft into the parking position with hand signals
- Cleans the cabin between flights, including seats, tray tables and lavatories
- Replaces seat-pocket items, blankets and headrest covers
- Receives, checks and stores import and export cargo in the cargo terminal
- Builds cargo pallets and containers ready for loading
- Operates forklifts in the cargo area where licensed
- Reports damaged bags, items or equipment to supervisors
- Follows strict safety, security and on-time departure rules
Types of Narita & Haneda Airport Jobs
Ground Staff (Passenger Service)
Ground staff work at check-in counters, boarding gates and transfer desks. JAL Sky’s April 2025 starting base pay was ¥213,000 for its Main Base Course, while ANA Airport Services listed ¥224,500 for all job types in 2025.
Baggage Handler / Ramp Agent
Ramp agents load bags and cargo, move equipment and support aircraft turnaround on the apron. Konoike Airport Service at Haneda has advertised ¥230,000 – ¥247,000, including a ¥20,000 regional allowance, and World Enterprise at Narita ¥216,250 – ¥263,825.
Aircraft Cleaner
Aircraft cleaners prepare cabins between flights and during overnight stops. Sunlive’s part-time Haneda cabin cleaning pay of ¥1,280 – ¥1,920 per hour works out to about ¥205,000 – ¥218,000 a month at the entry rate, and Narita Kuko Biseisha has listed full-time Narita cleaning at about ¥235,000 or more.
Cargo Handler
Cargo handlers receive, store, sort and build up air freight in the cargo terminal. Eiko’s Narita cargo-area ads show ¥197,500 – ¥320,000, and Kokusai Kuko Uwaya lists ¥200,000 or more for import cargo work.
Ramp Driver / GSE Operator
Some ramp jobs include driving special vehicles near aircraft, forklifts and boarding bridges. Konoike Airport Service lists an ordinary driving licence as a requirement for this type of work.
Operations Management
Operations staff coordinate flights, staffing and equipment from an office near the apron. ANA Narita Airport Services quoted ¥220,938 for university graduates joining in the 2027 intake.
Narita & Haneda Airport Salary 2026
| Position | Indicative Monthly Salary |
| Ground Staff | ¥190,000 – ¥250,000 |
| Baggage Handler | ¥200,000 – ¥265,000 |
| Aircraft Cleaner | ¥200,000 – ¥240,000 |
| Cargo Handler | ¥200,000 – ¥300,000 |
| Ramp Driver / GSE Operator | ¥215,000 – ¥265,000 |
Actual pay varies by employer, airport, shift pattern, allowances and overtime, and the aircraft cleaner range partly converts hourly pay at 160 – 170 working hours a month. All figures are indicative base pay, not guaranteed salaries.
Narita & Haneda Airport Jobs for Foreign Workers
Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker system includes an Aviation field with two sub-areas: airport ground handling and aircraft maintenance. Ground handling covers ramp work, cargo and baggage handling, cabin cleaning and aircraft guidance, so baggage handler, cargo handler and aircraft cleaner roles at Narita and Haneda may potentially fit this route, depending on the exact duties and how the employer classifies the job. The government has set an SSW(i) aviation acceptance cap of 4,900 people through the end of March 2029.
There is real activity in this area. JAL Ground Service began hiring SSW workers in FY2023, and about 90 of roughly 470 JAL group hires that year were SSW workers. The number of aviation SSW residents rose to 959 at the end of June 2024, from 342 at the end of December 2023. The government has also proposed adding airport ground handling to the new Employment for Skill Development (育成就労) system, which starts in April 2027.
Even so, you should not assume every vacancy qualifies. Passenger service counter work is not listed among the ground handling duties, and each employer decides whether it hires through SSW at all. Always confirm the visa route with the employer before you apply.
Japanese Language Requirement
Japanese is used for safety briefings, radio calls and teamwork on every shift, so the level you need depends on the role.
- Ground staff: usually a strong level to serve Japanese passengers and handle announcements
- Baggage handler and cargo handler: daily-conversation level to follow instructions safely
- Aircraft cleaner: basic level to read checklists and understand team leaders
- English helps at international counters and in the cargo area but rarely replaces Japanese
For the SSW(i) route, applicants normally need JFT-Basic at A2 level or above, or JLPT N4 or above, unless they completed Technical Intern Training (ii) in the field in good standing.
Eligibility
- Legal right to work in Japan, or a residence status that the employer can sponsor for the role
- Japanese ability that matches the job
- Physical fitness for lifting, bending and outdoor work in ramp, cargo and cleaning roles
- Willingness to work rotating shifts, weekends and holidays
- Ability to pass airport security background checks for restricted-area passes
- For SSW applicants: a pass in the aviation SSW(i) skills test for ground handling
- A driving licence where the job includes vehicles or forklifts
Education Qualification
Field roles such as baggage handling, cargo work and aircraft cleaning focus more on reliability, fitness and safety awareness than on degrees. Ground staff positions at airline group companies are often filled through new-graduate intakes, so a vocational, junior college or university background can help there.
- High school completion is a reasonable baseline for most field roles
- Diploma or degree is an advantage for ground staff and operations roles
- Forklift or driving licences add value for cargo and ramp jobs
- Hospitality or tourism courses help for passenger service
Daily Work of a Narita & Haneda Airport Worker
- Arrive early, change into uniform and collect your airport pass
- Attend the shift briefing on flights, weather and safety points
- Check equipment such as tugs, belt loaders, scanners or cleaning kits
- Move to your assigned counter, stand, cabin or cargo area
- Handle the first wave of departures, often very early in the morning
- Unload arriving bags or cargo and send them to the right belt or warehouse
- Clean and reset cabins within the turnaround time
- Load departing flights and confirm counts with the team leader
- Take a scheduled break between flight waves
- Record any damage, delays or irregularities in the shift log
- Hand over to the next shift and return equipment
Safety comes first throughout the day, with protective gear, hearing protection on the apron and strict rules around moving aircraft and vehicles.
Working Hours
- Usually about 8 hours per shift with breaks
- Early, day, late and in some cases overnight shifts
- Rotating rosters that include weekends and public holidays
- Extra hours during holiday seasons and irregular operations
Because Haneda and Narita serve flights from early morning to late night, ground workers should expect shift work rather than fixed office hours.
Accommodation
- Most employers do not provide free housing as standard
- Some companies offer company dormitories or rent support
- Many Narita workers live in Narita city and nearby Chiba towns
- Haneda workers often live in Ota ward or along rail lines into Tokyo
- Commuting allowances are commonly paid in Japan
If housing is offered, check the monthly rent, utilities and any deductions from salary before signing.
Benefits
- Shift, night and overtime allowances on top of base pay
- Regional allowances in some ads, such as ¥20,000 at Konoike Airport Service
- Sign-on bonuses at some contractors, for example ¥100,000 for some Swissport Japan Narita roles and ¥150,000 for Haneda ground handling
- Japanese social insurance, pension and health insurance
- Paid annual leave
- Uniforms and safety equipment
- Training on airport safety and equipment
Exact benefits depend on the employer and the contract you sign.
Career Growth
Ramp Agent → Senior Ramp Agent → Team Leader → Supervisor
- Gain licences to operate more types of ground equipment
- Move from cleaning or cargo into ramp or operations roles
- Learn aircraft guidance and load control
- SSW(ii) in ground handling is possible with a skills test or qualification plus supervisory experience
- Pay across the sector has been rising, which rewards staying and growing
Skills That Can Improve Your Chances
- Japanese at JLPT N4 or above, and higher for counter work
- Basic English for international passengers and cargo labels
- Forklift licence or warehouse experience
- Driving licence for ramp vehicles
- Good stamina and safe lifting technique
- Punctuality and comfort with early starts
- Attention to detail with tags, labels and counts
- Calm customer service under time pressure
- Teamwork and clear reporting
- Experience in hotels, logistics or cleaning services
Documents Required
- Valid passport
- Residence card if already living in Japan
- Japanese-style CV (rirekisho) and work history
- Educational certificates
- Japanese language test result
- SSW aviation skills test result if applying through SSW
- Driving or forklift licence where needed
- Passport-size photographs
The exact list varies by employer and visa route.
How to Apply Online
Step 1: Prepare Your CV
Write a clear CV, ideally in Japanese, that lists shift work, physical jobs or customer service experience.
Step 2: Describe Your Skills
Highlight safety habits, teamwork, licences and the language level you can prove.
Step 3: Gather Certificates
Collect education records, language scores and any licence or skills test certificates.
Step 4: Check the Job Category
Confirm whether the role is passenger service, ramp, cargo or cleaning, and whether the employer accepts your visa route.
Step 5: Complete Required Tests
SSW applicants usually need the aviation SSW(i) ground handling test run by the Japan Aviation Technical Association, plus a Japanese test.
Step 6: Attend the Interview
Expect questions on shift availability, fitness and safety awareness, sometimes with a short aptitude check.
Step 7: Review the Contract
Read the base pay, allowances, working hours and any housing deductions before you sign.
Step 8: Complete Immigration Procedures
Your employer usually supports the Certificate of Eligibility or change of status, and you can find openings on official pages such as the JAL Group recruitment site and ANA recruit pages.
Narita & Haneda Airport Jobs 2026 – FAQs
Which of these four roles pays the most?
Cargo handler has the widest range, with some ads up to about ¥300,000, while baggage handlers often start slightly higher than cleaners.
Do these salaries include allowances?
Most figures are base pay; shift, night, overtime and regional allowances are usually extra.
Why has airport ground pay been rising?
MLIT reported average ground handling pay at major firms rose about 15% in 2024, as companies worked to fix staff shortages.
Is this a guaranteed job offer?
No. This is a salary and information guide; hiring decisions are made only by the employers.
Can I apply without airport experience?
Yes, many entry-level ramp, cargo and cleaning roles train new staff on the job.
Are part-time jobs available?
Some cleaning and customer roles are advertised with hourly pay, which suits part-time work.
Should I pay an agent to get an airport job?
Never pay unlicensed agents or anyone promising guaranteed jobs or visas. Apply through official employer channels.
Will there be more airport jobs in future?
Narita plans a new runway C by the end of March 2029, with annual slots rising from about 340,000 to 500,000, which may increase demand for ground staff.
Final Words
Narita and Haneda are busy, growing and still rebuilding their ground workforce, which is why pay for these roles has moved up. Compare the ranges above, choose the role that suits your fitness, language level and visa route, and apply only through official employer channels.
Disclaimer: All salary figures mentioned in this article are indicative estimates based on general industry patterns and may vary by employer, location, experience, and contract terms. They do not represent a guaranteed salary, job offer, or visa approval. This website is not affiliated with Narita International Airport, Haneda Airport, Japan Airlines or ANA.