PHOENIX, AZ – Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, America’s Friendliest Airport®, sets a global milestone to becoming the first airport in the world to offer travelers the ability to take a Waymo autonomous vehicle as a means of transportation to and from the airport. Starting today, Waymo is offering Trusted Tester participants the ability to take autonomous rides to and from downtown Phoenix and the Airport with an autonomous specialist in the vehicle.
“Phoenix leads the nation in demonstrating autonomous vehicle technology, science, and safety,” said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. “The future of travel is here, and Waymo One service to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport marks our city’s commitment to innovation and technological advancements that will impact the world.”
Trusted Testers will be able to catch a ride 24 hours seven days a week in Waymo’s fully electric Jaguar I-PACE equipped with the fifth generation Waymo Driver. Current trips are offered with an autonomous specialist in the driver’s seat. In the future, the specialist will be removed from the vehicle and the ability to hail rides will begin to open to the general public.
Pickups and drop-offs occur at the 44th Street PHX Sky Train® Station where travelers can hop on the free PHX Sky Train® direct to the terminals. Trains arrive and depart every few minutes.
This new service comes two years after Waymo opened its fully autonomous commercial ride hail service, Waymo One, to the public in the East Valley of Phoenix; and builds on the company’s partnership with the City of Phoenix, which includes providing rides to Trusted Testers in Downtown Phoenix since May.
America’s Friendliest Airport® is no stranger at being the first to offer travelers new services. This Spring, Phoenix Sky Harbor became the first airport in the country to offer travelers the ability to show their mobile ID on their phones at the security checkpoints using the Apple Wallet.
To learn more about Phoenix Sky Harbor’s amenities and services and to keep up to date on the latest news, visit skyharbor.com.
Quotes from Phoenix City Council
“During my time on the City Council, I have pushed the city to be flexible and focused on the value of technology to improve peoples' lives. Autonomous vehicles have the potential to save money and provide safer transportation for all our residents, so this partnership with Waymo and Sky Harbor truly helps to position us for the future.”
Vice Mayor Laura Pastor
“The development of this new driverless technology by Waymo in Phoenix shows the continued desire Phoenix has to be innovative and technology-forward. Being at the helm of making this technology a reality for people everywhere means Sky Harbor visitors are helping to usher the future into today.” Councilwoman Ann O'Brien, District 1
“This is an astounding next step for the city and for Waymo – the benefits of this technology could reach far beyond Sky Harbor as it is developed. Sky Harbor is leading the way, likely becoming the first airport to offer autonomous vehicle rides to passengers. It is a testament to the great work the Aviation Department has done to pave the way for business development and creative problem solving at our airport for our partners like Waymo.”
Councilwoman Debra Stark, District 3
“This move to incorporate autonomous vehicles as another transportation option to and from Sky Harbor makes traveling even easier and more enjoyable. I am proud of our airport for once again leading the way in offering advanced services to those traveling to and from our great City.”
Councilman Sal DiCiccio, District 6
“It’s no surprise that Phoenix Sky Harbor is once again leading the way, this time by helping Waymo to advance clean and driverless transportation as a service for our passengers. This new development in autonomous vehicles is an exciting opportunity for our residents, and another prime example of how our city is always looking for opportunities to innovate.”
Councilwoman Yassamin Ansari, District 7
“Sky Harbor is always looking for ways to make the passenger experience better through technology, and by introducing autonomous vehicle rides to the airport, they're giving passengers a new and fun way to start their travels. Just as important, driverless vehicle technology has the potential to help all kinds of people live independently on their own terms, so doing our part to advance the science in partnership with Waymo is a great achievement”.
Councilmember Carlos Garcia, District 8
2022 Charlotte Douglas International Airport Report of Achievement
Giving back to the community is central to what Charlotte Douglas International Airport and its operator, the City of Charlotte Aviation Department, is about, and last year was no different.
Throughout 2022, while recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, we continued our efforts to have a positive impact on the Charlotte community. Of particular note, we spent the year sharing stories of how Connections Don't Just Happen at the Terminal - from creating homeownership and employment opportunities to supporting economic growth through small-business development and offering outreach programs to help residents understand the Airport better.
This whitepaper highlights the construction projects, initiatives, programs and events that validate Charlotte Douglas as a premier airport.
Download the whitepaper: 2022 Charlotte Douglas International Airport Report of Achievement.