Narita & Haneda Airport jobs keep reappearing on Japanese job boards for a simple reason: Tokyo’s two gateways keep getting busier, and the staff who check in passengers, load bags, clean cabins and screen luggage have to grow with them. Narita International Airport handled 40,774,055 passengers in FY2024 (April 2024 to March 2025), up 16% and above 40 million for the first time since FY2019, while Haneda Airport handled about 85.7 million passengers in calendar 2024, roughly 234,000 people a day. This alert is meant for freshers and early-career workers who want to be ready before the next round of openings, not chasing a listing after it has already closed.
The work is shared by many employers. Within the Japan Airlines group, JAL Sky recruits ground staff and station operations staff at Haneda and Narita, and JAL Ground Service recruits for ramp and ground handling, including cabin cleaning and baggage work. Within the ANA group, ANA Airport Services covers Haneda and ANA Narita Airport Services covers Narita. Independent companies such as Swissport Japan, Konoike Airport Service, World Enterprise and Kokusai Kuko Uwaya recruit handling staff, Sunlive and Narita Kuko Biseisha recruit cleaning staff, and contractors such as Toho Keibi Hosho and San-Es Keibi Hosho recruit security screeners at Haneda. The airport operators, Narita International Airport Corporation (NAA) with its group company NAA Safety Support, and Japan Airport Terminal at Haneda, also hire for operations, safety and facility roles. These companies recruit these kinds of roles; this article does not claim that any particular vacancy is open today.
For applicants from outside Japan, some ramp, baggage, cargo and cabin-cleaning positions may potentially fit the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) Aviation field, depending on exact duties and occupational classification. Passenger check-in, lounge reception and security screening are usually handled separately, so each listing needs to be checked on its own terms.
Narita & Haneda Airport Jobs 2026 – Quick Overview
| Job Title | Ground Staff, Baggage Handler / Ramp Agent, Aircraft Cleaner, Airport Customer Service, Airport Security Screener |
| 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, Sunlive, Toho Keibi Hosho |
| Industry | Aviation, airport operations and airport services |
| Indicative Salary | About ¥190,000 – ¥265,000 per month base, depending on role |
| Experienced Salary | Some handler ads list up to ¥350,000; MLIT reported average ground-handling pay at major firms of about ¥4.97 million a year in 2024, including bonuses and allowances |
| Education | High school for many operational roles; vocational school, junior college or university for many ground staff intakes |
| Experience | Freshers considered for many roles; training provided |
| Japanese | Needed for most roles; level depends on passenger contact |
| Work Type | Full-time, contract, part-time and dispatch |
| Work Schedule | Shift work, including early mornings, late evenings and weekends |
| Accommodation | Sometimes offered as dormitory or housing support; varies by employer |
| Overtime | Possible, especially in busy travel seasons; paid as per contract |
What Does a Narita & Haneda Airport Worker Do?
An airport worker at Narita or Haneda keeps passengers, baggage and aircraft moving safely and on time, usually as part of a team working in shifts.
- Checks in passengers and their bags at airline counters.
- Helps travellers at boarding gates, transfer desks and arrival areas.
- Sorts and loads checked baggage into containers and aircraft holds.
- Unloads arriving bags and sends them to the right belt.
- Drives baggage tractors and other airside vehicles where licensed.
- Guides aircraft to and from parking stands under supervision.
- Cleans aircraft cabins during short turnarounds between flights.
- Restocks seat pockets, blankets and amenities as instructed.
- Screens passengers, staff and carry-on bags at security checkpoints.
- Answers questions at information counters and lounges.
- Assists passengers who need wheelchairs or extra support.
- Reports damaged bags, lost items and safety hazards.
- Follows strict airside safety and security rules at all times.
- Records work in handover notes or tablet systems.
Types of Narita & Haneda Airport Jobs
Ground Staff (Passenger Service)
Ground staff work at check-in counters, gates and transfer desks for airlines. At JAL Sky, ANA Airport Services and ANA Narita Airport Services this is often hired through yearly new-graduate intakes.
Baggage Handler / Ramp Agent
Ramp agents load and unload bags and containers, and may help with aircraft guidance and special vehicles. This is one of the roles most affected by the post-COVID staffing gap.
Aircraft Cleaner
Cleaners prepare cabins between flights within tight time limits. Companies such as Sunlive at Haneda and Narita Kuko Biseisha at Narita recruit for airport cleaning work.
Airport Customer Service
This covers lounge reception, arrivals greeting and information counters. Many of these jobs are contract or dispatch positions paid by the hour.
Airport Security Screener
Screeners check passengers, staff and baggage at security points. Several Haneda contractors and Narita screening employers advertise these roles regularly.
Cargo and Operations Support
Some openings sit in cargo terminals or operations offices, such as cargo handling at Narita or operations management at the ANA airport companies.
Narita & Haneda Airport Salary 2026
| Position | Indicative Monthly Salary |
| Ground Staff | ¥190,000 – ¥250,000 |
| Baggage Handler / Ramp Agent | ¥200,000 – ¥265,000 |
| Aircraft Cleaner | ¥200,000 – ¥240,000 (part of this range is converted from hourly pay) |
| Airport Customer Service | ¥200,000 – ¥250,000 (converted from hourly pay at 160–170 hours) |
| Airport Security Screener | ¥210,000 – ¥360,000 |
Actual pay varies by employer, shift pattern, allowances and overtime, and some ads include regional or qualification allowances while others do not. These figures are indicative only and are not guaranteed.
Narita & Haneda Airport Jobs for Foreign Workers
Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker system has an Aviation field with two sub-areas: airport ground handling (ramp work, cargo and baggage handling, cabin cleaning and guidance) and aircraft maintenance. If a Narita or Haneda job falls inside the ground-handling sub-area, a foreign worker who passes the required tests may potentially be able to apply under SSW(i). The Ministry of Justice has set an SSW(i) aviation cap of 4,900 people through the end of March 2029, so the route is real but limited in size.
There is evidence that airline groups use it. JAL Ground Service began hiring SSW workers in FY2023, and about 90 of roughly 470 JAL-group hires that year were SSW workers. ANA group companies also recruited foreign talent in the same period, though published reports do not confirm which visa route was used.
Passenger check-in, lounge and security screening jobs are generally outside the ground-handling SSW scope, so foreign applicants should not assume every vacancy qualifies. Always confirm the residence status with the employer before applying.
Japanese Language Requirement
Japanese matters at both airports, because safety briefings, radio calls and team instructions are mostly in Japanese.
- Ramp and cleaning work: basic conversation and understanding of safety instructions.
- Security screening: clear Japanese for instructions to passengers and reports.
- Ground staff and customer service: strong spoken and polite Japanese (keigo).
- English is a useful extra, especially at international terminals.
- Other languages such as Chinese or Korean can help at busy international counters.
For SSW(i) in aviation, applicants 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 in the specific role, or eligibility for a matching visa.
- Ability to work shifts, including early mornings, nights and weekends.
- Physical fitness for standing, walking and lifting in ramp and cleaning roles.
- Willingness to pass background and security checks for airport passes.
- Japanese ability that matches the role.
- A driving licence where the job involves airside vehicles (some employers list an ordinary licence).
- For SSW applicants: a pass in the relevant aviation skills test and Japanese test.
Education Qualification
Education rules differ more by employer than by airport. Contractors often accept high school graduates, while airline group companies recruit many ground staff through new-graduate intakes from vocational schools, junior colleges and universities.
- High school completion for many ramp, cleaning and screening roles.
- Vocational school, junior college or university for many ground staff programmes.
- Airline or tourism courses are helpful but usually not required.
- Security screening qualifications (Level 1 or Level 2) can add allowances once earned on the job.
Daily Work of a Narita & Haneda Airport Worker
- Arrive early and pass through the staff security check.
- Change into uniform and collect safety gear or ID.
- Attend the shift briefing on flights, delays and weather.
- Receive your team and area assignment for the day.
- Prepare equipment, counters or screening lanes.
- Handle the first wave of departures and arrivals.
- Take a short break between flight peaks.
- Support irregular situations such as delays or gate changes.
- Clean up and check your area after the last assigned flight.
- Complete handover notes for the next shift.
Safety comes first at every step, so staff follow airside rules, use protective gear and report hazards immediately.
Working Hours
- Rotating shifts are standard at both airports.
- Early shifts can start before the first flights of the day.
- Late shifts can run until the last flights are handled.
- Weekend and public holiday work is common.
- Days off are usually set by a monthly roster.
Airport operations run around the clock in some areas, and busy travel periods such as spring holidays, summer and the year-end season can bring longer or extra shifts.
Accommodation
- Some employers offer a company dormitory or shared apartment.
- Others provide a housing allowance instead.
- Many Narita workers live in Narita city or nearby areas of Chiba.
- Haneda workers often live in Ota ward or along rail lines toward Kawasaki and Yokohama.
- Commuting support is common for early and late shifts.
Check whether rent, utilities or deposits will be deducted from your salary before signing.
Benefits
- Social insurance (health insurance and pension) for eligible employees.
- Transportation allowance for commuting.
- Shift, night and overtime allowances.
- Uniforms and safety equipment.
- Paid training for new staff.
- Paid leave as per Japanese labour law.
- Sign-on bonuses at some contractors.
Actual benefits depend on the employer and the terms written in your contract.
Career Growth
Trainee → Airport Staff → Senior Staff / Trainer → Supervisor
- Ramp staff can earn vehicle and equipment qualifications over time.
- Screeners can move up to Level 2 and Level 1 security qualifications.
- Ground staff can move into transfer desks, operations or training roles.
- SSW workers in ground handling may later aim for SSW(ii), which needs a test or qualification plus supervisory experience.
- Narita’s planned third runway C and longer runway B, targeted for the end of March 2029, are expected to raise annual slots from about 340,000 to 500,000, which points to steady long-term demand.
Skills That Can Improve Your Chances
- Basic to conversational Japanese, with study proof.
- English for international passengers.
- Good time management for flight schedules.
- Physical stamina for active, outdoor work.
- Calm attitude during delays and complaints.
- Teamwork and clear communication.
- Attention to detail for baggage tags and screening.
- A valid driving licence.
- Previous hotel, retail, logistics or warehouse experience.
- Comfort with simple tablet or computer systems.
Documents Required
- Japanese-style CV (rirekisho) and, where asked, a work history (shokumu keirekisho).
- Passport and residence card if you are already in Japan.
- Educational certificates.
- Japanese test results (JLPT or JFT-Basic).
- SSW aviation test pass certificate, where relevant.
- Driving licence, if the role needs one.
- Recent ID photos.
The exact list varies by employer and by visa route, so follow each listing’s instructions.
How to Apply Online
Step 1: Prepare Your CV
Write a short, clear CV in Japanese style and keep an English version ready for international employers.
Step 2: Describe Your Skills
Highlight shift experience, customer handling, physical work and any language test scores.
Step 3: Gather Certificates
Scan education certificates, test results and your licence so you can upload them quickly when a listing opens.
Step 4: Check the Job Category
Confirm whether the role is ground handling, passenger service or security, and check it on official recruit pages such as the JAL Group recruitment site or the ANA group recruit pages.
Step 5: Complete Required Tests
SSW applicants need the aviation skills test run by the Japan Aviation Technical Association plus a Japanese test, while company aptitude tests may apply to others.
Step 6: Attend the Interview
Expect questions about shift availability, teamwork and safety awareness, sometimes by video.
Step 7: Review the Contract
Check base pay, allowances, housing deductions, shift rules and probation terms before you sign.
Step 8: Complete Immigration Procedures
Your employer usually supports the Certificate of Eligibility process, after which you apply for the visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate.
Narita & Haneda Airport Jobs 2026 – FAQs
Why do Narita and Haneda openings keep coming back?
Passenger numbers are at record levels, and ground-handling staff fell to about 80% of pre-COVID levels before recovering, so employers continue to recruit to keep up with traffic.
Is there a best time of year to watch for openings?
Many airline group companies follow Japan’s yearly new-graduate cycle, while contractors often advertise ahead of busy travel seasons, so checking listings regularly throughout the year works best.
Will the Narita expansion create more jobs?
The new runway C and runway B extension are targeted for March 2029, with about 75 million passengers projected, which is likely to support continued hiring, though no job numbers have been published.
Is this a guaranteed job offer?
No. This is an information alert only, and hiring decisions are made by each employer after their own selection process.
Can I apply through this website?
No. Apply only through the employer’s official recruit page or a licensed recruitment channel.
Should I pay an agent to get an airport job?
Never pay fees to unlicensed agents or individuals who promise an airport job or visa; genuine employers explain any costs in writing.
How much is the SSW aviation ground-handling test fee?
The SSW(i) ground-handling test fee is listed at ¥4,000 including tax, but check the organiser’s current information before booking.
Do I need Japanese for ramp jobs?
Yes, at least basic Japanese is expected, since safety instructions and team communication are mostly in Japanese.
Final Words
Narita and Haneda will keep needing ground staff, ramp agents, cleaners, customer service staff and screeners as traffic grows toward Narita’s 2029 expansion. The best approach is to prepare your CV, certificates and Japanese test results now, check official recruit pages often, and apply as soon as a suitable listing appears.
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.
