Alphabet’s Waymo has secured a permit to begin testing autonomous vehicles at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), a key step toward launching commercial ride-hailing services at the hub, city officials said Tuesday.
The “Testing and Operations Pilot Permit” follows years of negotiations between SFO and Waymo, and comes just weeks after the company was cleared to test at San Jose Mineta International Airport. Waymo has operated service at Phoenix Sky Harbor since 2023 but has long targeted SFO, the main gateway for its Silicon Valley home base.
The permit outlines a three-phase rollout: initial tests with a trained specialist behind the wheel, trial passenger service for staff, and ultimately paid rides. Waymo plans to begin with pickups and drop-offs at the airport’s Kiss & Fly area, with potential expansion to other locations.
“We will begin testing very soon,” Waymo spokesperson Chris Bonelli said, without giving a timeline for passenger service. He added that paid rides will be offered on a “month-to-month” basis while discussions continue on a long-term commercial permit.
The move caps a year of rapid expansion for Waymo, which has added new cities, broadened its Silicon Valley coverage, and deepened partnerships with companies including Uber.
