San José Mineta International Airport Launches Air Taxi Infrastructure Pilot With Bell-Dancy Industries and Signature Aviation
San José Mineta International Airport has entered into a landmark partnership with Bell-Dancy Industries and Signature Aviation to launch a first-of-its-kind pilot program that will develop and test the foundational infrastructure required for advanced air mobility in the Bay Area. The collaboration creates a real-world environment at SJC to evaluate the systems, procedures and safety protocols that will one day support air taxis and other eVTOL aircraft.
The initiative, called Safeland, will use Signature Aviation’s ramp as a controlled testing area where Bell-Dancy Industries will deploy its autonomous air traffic management platform. Initial testing will begin with drones to validate digital coordination, situational awareness, and automated landing and takeoff procedures before progressing to larger eVTOL vehicles. SJC will coordinate closely with the Federal Aviation Administration and oversee all operational elements of the pilot.
The program is positioned for potential inclusion in the FAA’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, giving the partners an opportunity to align early with the agency’s evolving safety standards for next-generation aircraft.
City leaders emphasized that the agreement reflects San José’s commitment to planning proactively for emerging transportation technologies. They noted that while air taxis are still in development, airports need to establish the operational infrastructure and regulatory framework now to ensure safe adoption in the years ahead.
Airport Director Mookie Patel said the partnership supports SJC’s long-term vision for responsible integration of new aviation modes, adding that the airport intends to balance innovation with the region’s strong expectations for safety, reliability and customer experience.
Bell-Dancy Industries leaders said the pilot will demonstrate how digital infrastructure can enable safe, scalable operations for eVTOL aircraft and set the stage for broader adoption. Signature Aviation executives highlighted the company’s role in helping shape the future of private and advanced air mobility operations across its global network of terminals.
The new testing program reinforces SJC’s position as a dependable commercial airport and a key supporter of Silicon Valley’s business aviation community. More than a quarter of the airport’s aircraft operations come from general aviation, and officials said this initiative reflects a continuation of SJC’s long-standing role as a partner in aviation innovation.