Waymo Secures Approval for Phased Operations at San Francisco International Airport

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has granted Waymo a "Testing and Operations Pilot Permit," allowing the autonomous vehicle company to commence a phased rollout of its services at the major Bay Area hub. The approval, announced recently by Mayor Daniel Lurie and SFO officials, marks a significant step in Waymo's expansion efforts. Waymo confirmed the development, stating: "> All systems go at @flySFO! We’ve been approved by the airport to begin operations, and will start testing soon."

The deployment at SFO will unfold in three distinct phases. Initially, Waymo will test its autonomous vehicles with a trained specialist behind the wheel. The second phase will involve testing passenger service in fully autonomous mode, with Waymo employees and designated airport staff as passengers, before progressing to the third phase of commercial operations for paying customers. Pickups and drop-offs will initially be located at the airport’s “Kiss & Fly area,” requiring an AirTrain ride to reach terminals, with plans to explore additional locations.

SFO has long been a strategic target for Waymo, representing the largest airport serving Silicon Valley. This approval follows previous negotiations, including a permit granted in March for Waymo to map the airport's roadways. Waymo has already established airport operations at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport since 2023 and recently secured approval to begin testing at Mineta San Jose International Airport, further solidifying its presence in key transportation hubs.

Mayor Daniel Lurie emphasized the broader impact of the initiative, stating, "Across San Francisco, we are expanding safe, reliable, and modern transportation options—supporting our city’s economic comeback, boosting our tourism industry, and connecting residents and visitors to everything our city offers." SFO Director Mike Nakornkhet added that the permit "provides passengers with a new and innovative option that delivers the dependability and ease travelers expect."

The news has drawn attention from the market, with reports indicating a slight dip in the stock prices of ride-hailing competitors Uber and Lyft following the announcement. Waymo's co-CEO, Tekedra Mawakana, highlighted the company's vision, remarking that bringing the Waymo experience to SFO is about "providing a safe, reliable, magical way for Bay Area residents and global visitors to connect with the places and people that matter most."