Oakland Airport changing name to ‘San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport’
Written by KTVU Staff
OAKLAND, Calif. (FOX-35)- Oakland port officials voted unanimously on Thursday to rename the city's airport to San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport.
The Oakland Board of Port Commissioners said that the name change would attract more nonstop destinations by boosting travelers' geographic awareness of the airport’s location on the San Francisco Bay.
Thursday's vote marked the final step needed to rename the airport from Metropolitan Oakland International Airport to San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport.
The airport’s (OAK) airport code won't change, and its logo will remain the same.
"Our Board came to these discussions with a shared love of Oakland and a desire to see our city and airport thrive," said Port Commission President Barbara Leslie. "Since our initial vote, the Port has met with dozens of community leaders and stakeholders and heard their concerns. We are moving forward with a commitment to honoring our past while building a stronger, more inclusive future."
San Francisco filed a lawsuit in April against Oakland over the change, saying that it will cause confusion and is already affecting its airport financially.
"We had hoped Oakland would come to its senses, but their refusal to collaborate on an acceptable alternative name leaves us no choice but to file a lawsuit to protect SFO’s trademark," San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu said in a statement.
San Francisco is asking the court to prevent Oakland airport from moving forward with its name-change and rule that the new name violates San Francisco International Airport’s trademark.
The Port of Oakland disputes San Francisco's claims and has filed a counterclaim against the city, Oakland airport officials said.
The port is asking for a judge to rule that the name does not infringe upon SFO’s trademark. In the meantime, the Port said it is moving forward with the name change.
