Autonomous ride-hailing company Waymo has received authorization to operate at San Jose Mineta International Airport, SJC announced.
The authorization sets SJC up to be the first commercial airport in California and second in the world to allow travelers to hail a Waymo. The company began offering rides at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in 2022.
Waymo plans to begin autonomous testing at the San Jose airport on company employees this fall before commercially launching the program later this year.
“Waymo was born in Silicon Valley,” Waymo head of U.S. state and local public policy Annabel Chang said in a press statement. “Our testing and eventual commercial deployment at the airport will help us offer a valuable service to travelers in San Jose and more of the Bay Area, as we help keep innovation on the move.”
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan highlighted that the authorization came at “the perfect time,” as San Jose is set to host several major sporting events, including Super Bowl 60, NCAA March Madness, and the FIFA World Cup, in 2026.
“For decades, our region has shaped the future — and Waymo embodies our region’s spirit of innovation,” Mahan said.