San Antonio airport unveils pioneering AI parking service

San Antonio International Airport (SAT) has opened a new parking and check-in service that uses AI to allow parking without checkout, reservation of spots, and checking in bags in the parking garage.

The new services, operated by Metropolis, SAT’s parking management vendor, allow travellers to reserve parking spots in the garages and economy green lot before arriving, pay for parking via an app, and check luggage and print boarding passes while bypassing airline ticket counters.

“Metropolis set themselves apart because of their innovation and commitment to customer service,” an SAT spokesperson told Cities Today. “They have demonstrated that they will be a strong partner for San Antonio International Airport, as we continue to provide the best customer experience for our millions of passengers.”

Key features:

• Travellers can guarantee a parking spot in the garages or economy green lot before arriving.
• Upon arrival, passengers scan a QR code and connect their license plate to their method of payment, and quickly pay for parking via the Metropolis app.
• If parking in the garages, passengers can check their bags at the tunnel connecting the short-term garage to the terminal and bypass the airline ticket counters.

There is no additional fee for using the online booking, and guests can modify or cancel their parking up to one hour before their scheduled arrival.

Cameras capture an image of a vehicle coming in, not only the number plate, but metadata around that vehicle. For those airports that own their parking real estate outright, Metropolis says, that the new data capturing technology can uncover “actionable insights” to potentially increase revenue.

“Our focus isn’t necessarily on being first, but on providing the best possible service,” added the spokesperson. “Our goal is to leverage technological advancements that truly enhance the customer experience at every touchpoint. We work to leverage the latest technology and creative solutions, always prioritising accessibility to ensure smooth and inclusive travel for our passengers.”

Alex Israel, CEO and co-founder of Metropolis said that the technology is not just introducing a better way to park but is reimagining the entire travel experience.

“Today marks a transformative moment as we launch the most consumer-friendly mobility ecosystem at San Antonio International Airport,” he said. “By deploying our computer vision technology across parking and curbside services, we’re…setting a new standard for how travellers move through airports.”

Image: Dmitrii Melnikov | Dreamstime.com