Sky Harbor pilots Waymo and Amazon drone programs, studies advanced aerial mobility

Chad Makowski, the City of Phoenix aviation director, said Sky Harbor Airport was the first airport in the world to offer autonomous ground transportation services and that the airport is preparing for new aerial technologies.

"Sky Harbor Airport is another point of pride for our community. First airport in the world to offer autonomous ground transportation services," Makowski said. He described Waymo service as a regular part of airport operations and said ground transportation companies must obtain permits and pay access fees to operate at Sky Harbor: "Any ground transportation company that wants to serve the airport can. And what we do is we issue a permit for them. They do pay an access fee for the opportunity to access the airport because we're providing a commercial market."

Makowski also told Councilman Jim Waring that Sky Harbor has worked with Amazon on drone activity and is conducting an advanced aerial mobility feasibility study to plan for electric vertical aircraft (sometimes described as a future "flying car"). The study looks at potential vertiport locations, charging infrastructure and how to integrate those vehicles with the airport. "These aircraft are electric aircraft and they will consume electricity and they're gonna need to recharge when they land. So do we have the electric infrastructure in place at the places that would be identified for this activity that would meet the demand associated with those aircraft?" he asked.

Makowski said the airport expects to see advanced aerial mobility demonstrated at major international events in the coming one to two years and argued the airport needs to plan now to avoid falling behind: "In the next year to two years, when the Olympics come to the United States, when the World Cup comes to the United States, you're gonna see this showcased in those communities." He described the planning as early‑stage and infrastructure dependent.

Discussion only: Makowski characterized Waymo and drone operations as active and advanced aerial mobility as a planning study; no regulatory approvals or new contracts were announced during the interview.