Sonali Tiwary
Karmactive Team
San Antonio International Airport (SAT) has become the first airport in the United States to fully implement an AI-powered parking system. The new technology, launched in mid-November 2024, uses license plate recognition to create a ticket-free parking experience for travelers.
“You sign up one time. Forty seconds, and then every time you come back to San Antonio International Airport, you just drive in. The gate automatically vends, you get a text message,” explains Alex Israel, CEO and co-founder of Metropolis, the company behind the technology.
The system works by capturing an image of the vehicle’s license plate when it enters the parking area. First-time visitors create a profile with Metropolis using a QR code, providing payment details. After that initial setup, travelers can simply drive in and out without tickets or payment kiosks, with charges automatically processed through their account.
Ryan Rocha, chief of operations at the airport, noted positive public reception during the system’s soft launch before its official public debut on November 18, 2024.
This AI parking initiative comes as SAT tackles growing demand. The airport currently has about 10,000 parking spaces across two parking garages, two surface lots, and five small overflow lots, which frequently reach capacity during peak travel periods.
To address this shortage, San Antonio City Council unanimously approved a $110 million contract in January 2025 for a new six-story parking garage. The structure will add more than 2,000 parking spaces and is scheduled to open in fall 2027.
Notably, the new facility is being designed with the future in mind. Airport Director Jesus Saenz confirmed that the structure will accommodate electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles – essentially flying taxis.
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“The easiest way I have explained it is ‘The Jetsons,'” Saenz said, referencing the futuristic cartoon featuring flying cars. “That is really where things are moving toward.”
These electric aircraft can take off like helicopters and reach speeds up to 200 mph while operating more quietly than traditional helicopters or small planes. Port San Antonio is also preparing for this technology with its own landing area.
The new Ground Transportation Center on the first floor of the structure will streamline airport access by providing dedicated lanes for buses, hotel shuttles, taxis, and ride-sharing services, helping to reduce congestion at terminal drop-off areas.
Kansas City-based J.E. Dunn Construction, San Antonio’s Marmon Mok Architecture, and Houston-based PGAL will handle the project, which is expected to cost nearly $125 million.
The parking expansion is part of SAT’s larger 20-year, $2.5 billion improvement plan, which includes a new $1.7 billion terminal that began construction in December 2024.
SAT is also enhancing its dining options with new concessions featuring local favorites like 2M BBQ, Bakery Lorraine, and a wine bar showcasing Becker Vineyards, giving travelers an authentic taste of San Antonio.
“These initiatives are about more than just keeping pace with the growth of the region; they’re about leading the way in delivering a world-class travel experience,” said Saenz.
