Oakland officials vote to include ‘San Francisco’ in airport’s name, despite opposition
Officials at the airport in Oakland have stated that travelers who are not familiar with the area often mistakenly fly into San Francisco’s airport, even when their final destination is closer to Oakland’s airport across the bay. In response to this, the Board of Commissioners for the Port of Oakland has unanimously voted to proceed with changing the name of the city’s airport to San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport, despite potential legal challenges from San Francisco citing trademark issues.
The proposed name change aims to clarify the airport’s location for travelers and highlight its proximity to the East Bay region. Port Commission President Barbara Leslie emphasized that the new name will emphasize Oakland’s significance as the closest major airport for millions of people, research facilities, educational institutions, and tourist destinations like California’s Wine Country.
During the decision-making process, the commissioners heard input from both supporters and opponents of the name change, including residents of Oakland, airline representatives, and representatives from San Francisco’s tourism sector. Some supporters suggested placing “Oakland” before “San Francisco” in the new name.
Pending final approval in May, the airport staff will initiate the formal renaming process, coordinating with airlines, other airports, and local agencies to update airport and airline systems accordingly.
The decision to change the airport’s name comes at a time when Oakland is facing challenges such as rising crime rates and the loss of professional sports teams. The recent announcement by the Athletics to leave Oakland has further heightened concerns about the city’s future in major league sports.
San Francisco officials have expressed opposition to the name change, citing potential confusion for travelers, particularly those coming from abroad. They have threatened legal action, arguing that it infringes on San Francisco International Airport’s trademark.
Despite objections from some San Francisco officials and residents, supporters of the name change argue that it will help address issues such as the lack of geographic awareness among travelers, which has impacted the airport’s route performance and hindered its growth.