Waymo has received approval to begin testing its autonomous vehicles at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), marking a step toward launching commercial AV services there.

The permit, announced by the San Francisco mayor’s office, follows negotiations between SFO and Waymo, which has operated at Phoenix’s Sky Harbor airport since 2023.

Waymo will proceed in three phases: initial tests with a specialist behind the wheel, subsequent tests with employees and airport staff as passengers, and eventually paid rides for the public.

In the paid phase, pickups and drop-offs will occur at the airport’s “Kiss & Fly area,” which requires an AirTrain ride to reach terminals.

Waymo did not specify when it will move to full commercial operations at SFO, saying that paid rides will operate on a month-to-month basis as discussions continue.

Waymo began mapping SFO earlier this year after previously being denied a permit in 2023.

🔗 Source: TechCrunch

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