Chicago Rockford International Airport Partners with Metropolis to Bring Ticketless Parking to Travelers
Debuting October 26, RFD becomes the first airport in Illinois to offer Metropolis’ seamless drive-in, drive-out parking, part of a broader refresh of the airport’s experience
(Rockford, IL – October 13, 2026) – Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) today announced a new partnership with Metropolis, the leader in applied AI and the developer of the nation’s fastest-growing airport mobility and modernization platform. Beginning October 26, RFD will become the first airport in Illinois to bring Metropolis’ ticketless parking technology to its travelers, allowing drivers to simply drive in and drive out.
The new system is designed to make parking faster and easier for RFD passengers by allowing drivers to enter and exit airport parking without pulling a ticket or stopping at a kiosk. After a one-time sign-up, travelers can drive in and drive out, with payment processed automatically and receipts sent electronically.
The launch builds on an established relationship between the two organizations. Metropolis Valet has operated at RFD for more than three years, and in early 2026, Metropolis’ technology helped the airport provide overflow parking. AeroParker, a Metropolis company, also provides reservation services at RFD, and travelers with reservations can simply drive in without scanning a QR code. The October 26 rollout extends recognition-based parking to customer parking for the first time, bringing the full drive-in, drive-out experience to the airport’s main facilities.
The partnership arrives alongside a broader refresh of the RFD experience, as the airport modernizes the parts of the journey travelers encounter before they reach the terminal. Together, these initiatives are designed to deliver a more modern, more convenient Rockford experience from the moment passengers arrive.
“Travelers choose RFD because it is easy, and parking should be the easiest part of all,” said Zack Oakley, Executive Director at Chicago Rockford International Airport. “This is one more step in a broader effort to modernize the experience our passengers have before they ever reach the gate. Drive in, park, drive out, and get on with the trip.”
“Extending from valet and reservations into customer parking is the natural next step for RFD,” said Colin Geraghty, Director of Aviation Business Development at Metropolis. “This team has consistently moved early on technology, and we’re proud to help make RFD the first airport in Illinois to offer our full parking platform.”
To use the new experience, travelers can visit app.metropolis.io, download the Metropolis app, or scan a QR code at any parking lot entrance to sign up. Registration takes less than a minute and only requires a phone number, license plate, and payment method. Once registered, travelers can simply drive in, park, and drive out. Manual and cash payment options will remain available for travelers who do not sign up for the new system.
Posted parking rates at RFD will remain unchanged. A standard service fee applies to paid parking transactions. Current rates, fees, and additional pricing information can be found at the following link: https://flyrfd.com/parking-information/
RFD joins a growing network of airports across the country, from El Paso to Hawaii’s Big Island, that have adopted Metropolis’ seamless drive-in, drive-out technology since its airport debut at San Antonio International Airport in 2024. Across Metropolis computer vision-enabled airports, travelers have submitted more than 95,000 satisfaction survey responses this year, with an average score above 92 percent. Metropolis runs world-class operations at approximately 75 airports nationwide and continues to expand its end-to-end airport mobility platform, which spans parking, reservations, baggage services, and more.
Press Contacts:
Shaquil Manigault, Chartwell Agency | smanigault@chartwellagency.com
Lizzy Levitan, Hunt & Gather | metropolis@hunt-gather.com
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