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San José, Calif. – San José Mineta International Airport (SJC) today forged a landmark partnership with Bell-Dancy Industries, an autonomous infrastructure and logistics company and Signature Aviation, the world’s largest network of private aviation terminals. The first-of-its-kind agreement in California will launch a pilot program to build and test the infrastructure required for advanced air mobility (AAM) infrastructure in the Bay Area.

This pioneering program, named “Safeland,” will establish a real-world testing environment at SJC. Bell-Dancy Industries will deploy its groundbreaking autonomous air traffic management system on Signature Aviation’s ramp, creating a digital framework to safely manage air traffic. The pilot will begin with drones to validate the system, paving the way for testing with larger eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) “air taxi” vehicles. SJC will play a crucial role in leading coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration and overseeing all testing operations.

This agreement positions the “Safeland” program for potential inclusion in the FAA’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP). This proactive approach ensures the program aligns with the highest federal safety standards from day one, demonstrating a firm commitment from all partners to meet and exceed FAA regulations and preparing for AAM.

“eVTOLs are an exciting innovation in air mobility and I’m thrilled that Bell-Dancy Industries and Signature Aviation have partnered with San José Mineta International Airport to explore how this technology can serve our community,” said San José City Manager Jennifer Maguire.

“Flying cars only existed in science fiction — until the people at the forefront of aviation began building them right in our backyard,” said San José Mayor Matt Mahan. “San José is staying in lockstep with the entrepreneurs all around us to make sure that the public sector prepares for the future the private sector is shepherding forward. Vertical takeoff and landing vehicles themselves won’t change air travel without the proper systems in place that will allow people to safely use them — that’s what this pilot program is all about. We’re proud to operate the most reliable airport in the nation and we plan to keep it that way as the world innovates, creates and reimagines transportation.”
“We are eager to bring the next generation of aviation to the world in partnership with BDI and Signature,” said Mookie Patel, director of aviation at San José Mineta International Airport. “As eVTOL technology continues to develop, SJC is committed to thoughtful planning, collaboration and innovation to ensure this new mode of travel integrates safely and efficiently into our region’s – and the world’s – transportation network.”

“Air Taxis are no longer science fiction — they can create a new wave of transportation and delivery and we want to ensure the excitement does not miss the most critical piece of the puzzle: how to make this truly safe and accessible at scale, said Darrell Bell, CEO of Bell-Dancy Industries. “At Bell-Dancy Industries, we build smart critical infrastructure for the highest level of safety and visibility for AAM. Our system is the foundation for a new level of trust in our skies. We are excited to lead this effort with our partners SJC and Signature Aviation to make this a reality. We look forward to showing the world how it works and connecting with those ready to build this future with us.”

“As the world’s largest network of private aviation terminals, Signature Aviation is uniquely positioned to support the future of air transportation,” said Tony Lefebvre, CEO of Signature Aviation. “This partnership demonstrates how our focus on operational excellence and warm, intuitive guest service extends even into emerging technologies. Together with SJC and Bell-Dancy Industries, we’re ensuring that the introduction of eVTOL travel is not only safe and sustainable, but truly elevates every moment for future travelers.”

About San José Mineta International Airport (SJC): Fly Simple. 
San José Mineta International Airport (SJC), owned and operated by the City of San José, is the Bay Area’s most convenient and dependable airport. Its medium size, simple layout, mild climate and central location — just minutes from downtown San José, the Capital of Silicon Valley — make travel easy. In 2024, SJC welcomed nearly 12 million passengers and was ranked California’s top-performing airport for on-time departures by Cirium. The Airport offers nonstop service to more than 40 domestic and international destinations and supports Silicon Valley’s business aviation needs through two fixed-base operators and several corporate tenants, with general aviation representing more than a quarter of aircraft operations. A powerful economic engine for the region, SJC supports more than 19,000 jobs in Santa Clara County and generates more than $4.3 billion annually in construction, operations and tourism activity. Learn more at flysanjose.com. 

About Bell-Dancy Industries
Bell-Dancy Industries (BDI) is a premier developer of autonomous infrastructure designed for the next generation of aviation. Beginning in 2018 and headquartered in Los Angeles, BDI has created critical infrastructure and safety metrics for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

The company’s flagship technology is ALTA (Autonomous Landing and Take-off Assistant), a system perfected through testing with NASA and in partnership with UCLA, that makes advanced air mobility more accessible and secure. With a growing presence across the U.S. and internationally, BDI’s goal is to set a higher standard for the level of safety supporting AAM.
For more information, please visit www.belldancy.io.

About Signature Aviation
Signature Aviation is the world’s preeminent aviation hospitality company, offering exceptional experiences and essential support services to business and private aviation guests. The company’s large-scale infrastructure footprint enables travel, fosters human connection and is a critical global economic driver. Signature operates an industry-leading network of private aviation terminals, with over 200 locations covering key destinations in 27 countries across five continents and is the largest distributor of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The company also offers over 16 million square feet of carbon neutral multiuse office and hangar real estate globally, providing unique networkwide benefits and advantages to guests who base their aircraft at a Signature location. For more information, please visit www.signatureaviation.com.