Waymo has been granted approval to operate autonomous ride-hailing vehicles at San José Mineta International Airport (SJC).
The recently awarded permit makes SJC the first commercial airport in California to authorise Waymo services.
The deployment will take place in stages. Initial testing will involve journeys with Waymo employees, followed by a phased public launch later in the year.
San José Mayor Matt Mahan said:It's the perfect time for Waymo’s autonomous vehicles to begin to roll into San José, the Capital of Silicon Valley. For decades, our region has shaped the future — and Waymo embodies our region’s spirit of innovation. With San José at the epicenter of the biggest sporting events of 2026, Waymo is an ideal mode of transportation that will help visitors move around the area smoothly and safely.
Once the service is available, passengers travelling through SJC will be able to book a vehicle using the Waymo app. Pick-up points will be located at the airport’s Ground Transportation Centres in Terminals A and B, with onward journeys offered within Waymo’s existing San Francisco Bay Area service area.
San José City Manager Jennifer Maguire said:I am thrilled Waymo will offer passengers a new innovative option in how passengers travel to and from the San José Mineta International Airport (SJC). Waymo provides the same dependability and convenience travelers have come to expect at SJC, all while leaving a lasting impression to travelers that highlights the spirit of innovation that defines our region.
Waymo, which began in Silicon Valley, described the move as a step towards expanding its autonomous ride-hailing services across the Bay Area.
Annabel Chang, Head of U.S. State and Local Public Policy, Waymo, said:We look forward to offering fully autonomous rides at San José Mineta International Airport terminals in the future. Waymo was born in Silicon Valley, and our testing and eventual commercial deployment at the airport will help us offer a valuable service to travellers in San José and more of the Bay Area, as we help keep innovation on the move.
