Opposition Grows Against Oakland’s Proposed Airport Renaming

Opposition continues to mount against the Port of Oakland this week against a proposed name change of Oakland International Airport to San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport.

The plan itself was released late last week. According to Oakland Airport officials, the airport’s name is often confusing for travelers, as the name of the airport fails to give the impression just how close the airport is to San Francisco. That lack of understanding, according to airport officials, have also cost the airport major airline routes and passengers. While officials have said that the airport will not be changing their airport code away from OAK or any Oakland visual branding, it would create an overall identity change.

However, San Francisco and San Francisco Airport officials quickly denounced the name proposal, saying that the name change would only confuse travelers with a mix up over the San Francisco Airport name. Many travelers would also likely book wrongly because of the name change, constituting lost connections and a long travel distance between airports.

Oakland officials, angered by the higher than expected backlash against the idea, changed tactics this week and said that the name was now geographic. In a press release, the Port of Oakland also gathered some local officials to make statements on the benefits of the name change.

“The name modification will use the main geographic feature of our region to identify its location, the San Francisco Bay,” said Oakland International Airport Interim Aviation Director Craig Simon. “This is not about the City and County of San Francisco, or San Mateo County, but about our region and creating jobs in Oakland and throughout the East Bay. No one owns the title to the San Francisco Bay. OAK is the closest airport to 58.5% of the San Francisco Bay Area’s population; two of five major employers are based in the East Bay, and three national laboratories are located here.”

“OAK creates over 30,000 direct jobs and generates $1.6 billion in economic impact. Modifying our name will help us compete for new destinations, which will benefit all travelers. There’s no confusion; OAK has been located on the San Francisco Bay since 1927.”

Barbara Hillman, CEO of Visit Berkeley, added that “Berkeley is fortunate to have visitors from all over the world. The San Francisco Bay Area is globally recognized, and Berkeley, because of the University and the various research labs, are well-known to be part of it. Over the years, it’s been our observation, particularly outside the region, that many travelers simply do not understand the proximity of Oakland International Airport within the San Francisco Bay Area. It makes good sense to align the airport name with the globally recognized geographic area where it is located. This will make it easier for air travelers to find and use O-A-K when they plan their travel and that, in turn, will help support more nonstop destinations which is a definite plus for all of us.”

Despite the Port of Oakland scrounging up some support in the East Bay, the majority of other officials and travelers continued to speak out against the name. Particularly distressing is the high number of lawmakers from both sides of the aisle opposing the name change.

“I love Oakland, but Oakland is Oakland. It’s not San Francisco,” said Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) in a statement on X. “Oakland’s airport should not be cutting & pasting San Francisco International Airport into its name. Please find another way to turn things around.”

I love Oakland, but Oakland is Oakland. It’s not San Francisco. Oakland’s airport should not be cutting & pasting San Francisco International Airport into its name. Please find another way to turn things around. https://t.co/3tRt4h5Ldv

— Senator Scott Wiener (@Scott_Wiener) March 30, 2024

Karl Jurgens, the president of a plane enthusiasts club in the East Bay, added, “I am a full fledged Republican who loves taking OAK for flights. Oakland Airport just made me side with Senator Wiener on something, about the name change. I never thought I would see the day.”

“Ask anyone around here, and Oakland is by far the preferred name. They’re worried about people not thinking it is close to the Bay Area? Have they thought about, you know, awareness programs? Advertisements? How about Oakland/Bay Area Airport? I saw suggestions for Oakland (Jack London) Airport and Oakland (Clint Eastwood) Airport and Oakland (Rickey Henderson) Airport. Tie it in there. Don’t steal the name. Just claiming it based on geography is so below the belt and manipulative.”

“Other airports have had huge issues with names being the same. I’ve talked with baggage handlers at Melbourne Airport in Florida who had bags from the Australian airport come in. All the Springfield airports cause confusion. Even in California, people get mad over Los Angeles and whenever airlines use Los Angeles (Ontario). It’s only going to harm people.”

The Globe also spoke with an anonymous assistant to a San Francisco City Official, who said that “Politically this is dangerous, and they might have to check with their legal department on this. It makes more sense to ask airports to lump in Oakland with a general Bay Area airports tag to let travelers decide or give an ad saying “You’re ticket to the Bay Area” or something. Just keep out ‘San Francisco’. I don’t think they realize how stupid this is. Politically this is bad and legally this might be bad.”

The Oakland airport name change, which was first proposed back in 2007, is to be considered at the next Port of Oakland meeting on April 11th.