TLDR
- Tesla is seeking permits to operate robotaxis at San Francisco Bay Area airports including San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland
- Waymo already secured a permit for San Jose Mineta International Airport and will begin testing in fall 2025
- Tesla stock is trading at $347, consolidating between $340 support and $355 resistance levels
- Airport rides represent 15% of Uber’s mobility bookings and are considered the most lucrative for ride-hailing companies
- Tesla currently only has permits for supervised ride-hailing with drivers, not fully autonomous operations in California
Tesla stock closed at $347 on September 10, reflecting the company’s ongoing push into the lucrative airport ride-hailing market. The electric vehicle maker has begun talks with three major Bay Area airports to secure robotaxi permits.
The stock gained 0.19% in the last 24 hours with an intraday high of $350.50. Trading volume remains moderate as investors await clarity on Tesla’s autonomous vehicle strategy.
Tesla has contacted San Francisco International Airport, San Jose Mineta International Airport, and Oakland International Airport about permit applications. Each airport confirmed these discussions to Business Insider.
Kaley Skantz from Oakland airport said Tesla’s Public Policy and Business Development team has made contact. However, no formal meetings have occurred yet.
Francis Tsang from San Francisco International Airport confirmed scheduling discussions are underway. The airport is actively working on permit terms but has no set timeline.
Tesla submitted a memo to the California Public Utilities Commission in July. The document outlined plans for “pick-ups/drop-offs” at the three airports.
Currently, Tesla only holds a Transportation Charter Party permit in California. This allows ride-hailing services with a human driver present.
The company does not have a “Drivered Pilot AV” permit from the CPUC. This means Tesla cannot provide passenger service with autonomous vehicles, even with a safety driver.
Waymo Takes Early Lead
Waymo holds a clear advantage in the airport autonomous vehicle space. The Alphabet subsidiary operates fully autonomous rides at Phoenix Harbor International Airport since 2022.
On September 4, Waymo received authorization for San Jose Mineta International Airport. The company will begin testing this fall and launch commercial rides later this year.
Waymo also secured mapping permits for San Francisco International Airport in March. Discussions continue for full operational permits at SFO.
The airport ride-hailing market generates substantial revenue for all parties involved. San Francisco International Airport reported $51.7 million in trip fee revenue from 9.4 million rides in fiscal year 2024.
Uber disclosed that 15% of its mobility bookings involve airport trips. Lyft reported 61% of its riders have used the service for airport transportation.
“Those are the most lucrative rides,” said Lindsey Cameron, a Wharton management professor. “You’ve got a captive audience who wants to go home, and so they’re willing to pay.”
Technical Analysis Shows Consolidation
Tesla stock is consolidating between key technical levels. Support appears solid at $340-$345, while resistance sits at $350-$355.
The Relative Strength Index likely sits in neutral territory between 45-55. This suggests neither overbought nor oversold conditions.
A breakout above $355 with volume could shift sentiment to bullish. A drop below $340 might trigger a correction toward $330.
Tesla’s U.S. electric vehicle market share fell to 38% in August 2025. This represents the lowest level since 2017, down from over 50% two years ago.
The company continues expanding its supervised ride-hailing pilot in the Bay Area. Full autonomous operations require additional approvals from California’s DMV and CPUC.
Airport access would provide Tesla with high-visibility testing locations and steady demand. All three Bay Area airports confirmed ongoing discussions but no permits have been issued.
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