JAL and Donecle Launch Autonomous Drone Aircraft Inspections

Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. (JAL) and robotics firm Donecle have launched a joint verification project to conduct aircraft exterior inspections using fully autonomous drones. The initiative, announced in a press release on September 11, 2026, is the first in Japan to utilize drone technology explicitly approved within aircraft manufacturers’ maintenance manuals.

The project aims to replace traditional manual visual inspections, which require mechanics to work at elevated heights on scaffolding or lift equipment. By automating this process inside its hangars, JAL intends to reduce inspection times while enhancing workplace safety for its maintenance personnel.

Transitioning to automated visual inspections

Operational testing for the project began at the end of June 2026. JAL mechanics have been conducting side-by-side comparisons between conventional visual inspections and high-resolution images captured by the drones to verify the effectiveness and accuracy of the technology.

The project utilizes Donecle’s Iris GVI drone. The autonomous aircraft measures 855 millimeters in length and width, stands 245 millimeters tall, and weighs 3,700 grams including its battery. The system navigates the hangar environment to scan the aircraft exterior and capture detailed visual data for inspection records.

Operational efficiency and future applications

JAL plans to reallocate the labor hours saved by the automated drone inspections toward predictive maintenance tasks. The airline operates a fleet of 234 aircraft as of March 2026, serving a network of 413 airports across 71 countries and regions. Improving maintenance efficiency is a core component of maintaining dispatch reliability across this global network.

Future phases of the joint project will target specific operational pain points. JAL and Donecle aim to use the drones for rapid unscheduled inspections following suspected lightning strikes, a process that traditionally causes significant flight delays. The companies also plan to implement regular automated monitoring of aircraft paint conditions.

Donecle’s international expansion

The partnership with JAL follows a period of growth for Donecle. In April 2026, the company secured €10 million in new capital investment. According to reporting by Aviation Week, this funding was earmarked to drive international expansion and further develop the company’s artificial intelligence technology for defect detection.

AirPro News analysis

We view the explicit approval of drone technology within aircraft manufacturers’ maintenance manuals as the most critical element of this announcement. Historically, regulatory bodies like Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have required direct human visual confirmation for scheduled exterior inspections. By validating the Iris GVI against conventional methods, JAL is building the necessary safety case to transition Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) operations away from scaffolding and toward automated, AI-assisted data collection. The ability to rapidly clear an aircraft after a lightning strike using a drone could save airlines millions in delay-related costs annually.

Sources: Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.