San Francisco International Airport has officially approved Waymo’s autonomous vehicle testing program, marking a significant milestone in the company’s expansion strategy. The announcement came Tuesday from San Francisco Mayor’s office, confirming that SFO and Waymo have finalized a “Testing and Operations Pilot Permit” following extended negotiations.
This development positions SFO as Waymo’s latest airport partnership, coming just two weeks after the company secured similar approval at San Jose Mineta International Airport. The timing is particularly notable as Tesla simultaneously pursues permits for ride-hailing services at Silicon Valley airports, intensifying competition in the autonomous airport transportation sector.
Strategic Importance
While Waymo already operates at Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport since 2023, SFO represents a crucial market expansion. As the primary airport serving Silicon Valley, Waymo’s headquarters region, SFO has been a long-standing target for the autonomous vehicle company.
The path to approval wasn’t smooth. Airport officials initially rejected Waymo’s proposals in 2023, but relations improved significantly this year when the company received mapping permits, a clear signal of changing attitudes toward autonomous vehicle integration.
Related: Waymo Expands to Denver and Seattle With Robotaxi Fleet
Three-Phase Implementation
The newly granted permit outlines a structured rollout approach:
Phase One: Autonomous vehicle testing with trained safety specialists monitoring from the driver’s seat
Phase Two: Employee and airport staff passenger trials to refine service operations
Phase Three: Commercial paid ride services for the general public
Once reaching the commercial phase, Waymo will initially offer pickup and drop-off services at SFO’s “Kiss & Fly” area, which connects to terminals via AirTrain. The company has indicated plans to explore additional airport locations as the service matures.
Timeline and Future Plans
Waymo spokesperson Chris Bonelli confirmed testing will begin “very soon” but declined to specify exact timeframes for subsequent phases. The commercial service phase will operate on a month-to-month basis while Waymo collaborates with SFO on securing a permanent commercial operations permit.
This SFO approval adds to Waymo’s impressive 2025 expansion record, which includes multiple new city launches, growing partnerships including Uber integration, and continued service area expansion throughout Silicon Valley. The company has already announced additional market entries planned for 2026, suggesting sustained growth momentum in the autonomous ride-hailing sector.
