Port Of Oakland Votes Unanimously to Change Airport Name, Countersues San Francisco

The Port of Oakland unanimously voted in favor of changing the name of Oakland’s airport from “Oakland International Airport” to “San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport” on Thursday, with the Port later countersuing San Francisco over trademark infringement while San Francisco vowed to file a preliminary injunction to temporarily stop the name change from legally happening.

The name change plan from “Oakland International Airport” to “San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport” was released in late March, as the Globe reported. 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 it 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.

A back and forth between the cities ensued, with Oakland claiming the name was more geographic than anything else. However, the name change proved to be very unpopular across the Bay, with groups such as the NAACP and many tech companies coming out in opposition. As the April 11th vote by the Port of Oakland neared, Chiu warned them that they would be filing a lawsuit if the name change was approved.

Despite the impending lawsuit and the majority of Bay area residents and lawmakers opposed to the name change, the Port of Oakland went ahead and approved the new name in mid-April in a unanimous vote. Less than a week later, San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu filed a lawsuit against Oakland over trademark infringement. If successful, it would mean that, even if the Port of Oakland finalized a name change, it could all be for nothing.

Despite the threat of a lawsuit, Oakland Port officials voted unanimously in favor of the name change on Thursday, marking the final hurdle before finalization.

“Our Board came to these discussions with a shared love of Oakland and a desire to see our city and airport thrive,” Port Commission President Barbara Leslie said in a statement on Thursday. “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.”

The Oakland Board of Port Commissioners is considering the proposed OAK name modification right now. pic.twitter.com/rqnO46QKQB

— Port of Oakland (@PortofOakland) May 9, 2024

San Francisco, whose offer to help rename Oakland’s airport is still on the table, reacted negatively to the Port of Oakland’s decision. City Attorney Chiu said that the next steps in the lawsuit would now take place, potentially legally forcing Oakland to go back to their original airport name.

“It is disappointing that Oakland chose to ignore our multiple offers to collaborate on alternative names and avoid litigation,” expressed Chiu late on Thursday. “We have no choice but to move forward with next steps in our trademark lawsuit.”

However, Oakland, prepared for that eventuality, filed a countersuit against San Francisco only hours after Chiu’s response. In it, the Port of Oakland not only seeks the court’s confirmation that the name change does not constitute trademark infringement, but is also requesting that the court determine that no one owns or has the rights to the San Francisco Bay. According to the Port of Oakland, “The Port disputes that the new name will create confusion with consumers as passengers booking flights into the region—like travelers to other major metropolitan areas throughout the world—will understand that the San Francisco Bay Area can contain more than one airport.”

Port Attorney Mary Richardson said, “The San Francisco’s City Attorney’s decision to pursue litigation is an attempt to stop consumer education, prevent expanded air travel options for Bay Area residents and visitors, and is a misguided use of San Francisco taxpayer dollars. OAK is committed to enhancing its airline routes and increasing competition for the benefit of all of San Francisco Bay Area’s visitors and residents, including those residing in the City and County of San Francisco. We stand ready and willing to partner with SFO to increase choices for travelers and invite any productive dialogue to this end.”

“Changing ‘Metropolitan’ to ‘San Francisco Bay’ in Oakland Airport’s name accurately describes OAK’s geographic location on the Bay and presents the airport as an additional choice for travel into the San Francisco Bay Area. SFO’s lawsuit is a disappointing and anticompetitive effort to discourage competition and choice, and we are confident the Court will agree.”

San Francisco set to strike back

Finally, as Thursday came to a close, San Francisco struck back one final time. According to Jen Kwart, a spokeswoman for City Attorney Chiu, San Francisco would be filing a preliminary injunction. The injunction, which would likely be successful, would temporarily halt Oakland from changing the name of their airport legally while the court case is going on.

On Friday, both San Francisco and Oakland have legal challenges against each other, with the preliminary injunction expected to be filed in only a matter of days. Legal experts told the Globe on Friday that San Francisco has the stronger case by far, with Oakland having a weaker argument.

“Oakland is grasping at straws to try and make this work,” added aviation lawyer Sarah Granger to the Globe on Friday. “They’re trying to claim that naming their Airport ‘San Francisco’ is not infringing upon a trademark of the airport named that. Plus they are saying that it won’t cause confusion, which we know it does at other similar dual name airports, especially with foreign travelers.”

“The Oakland side is obviously worried too. They are using last ditch excuses like San Francisco is trying to prevent expanded air travel options, or that they are wasting money even though their airport’s name and traveler confusion is at stake. A big part of this depends on what judge looks at this, but with the facts as is, Oakland looks desperate and doesn’t have much to back themselves up with.”

The preliminary injunction against Oakland, which would temporarily halt a name change, is expected to be filed soon.