Oakland airport officials on April 11 unanimously approved renaming Metropolitan Oakland International Airport (OAK), making it San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport, despite a warning from San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu earlier this month.
The approval was granted by the Oakland Board of Port Commissioners—a regulatory body that governs the airport—after Oakland officials said the change would boost travelers’ awareness of the airport’s location.
“Every day, hundreds of travelers drive from the East Bay to [San Francisco International Airport (SFO)], passing OAK because they can’t get the flight they need. For the economic health of the region, this must change,” said the Port’s Executive Director Danny Wan. “Our renaming will make travel easier for thousands of people and help grow the local economy.”
The move was endorsed by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, who said the name change would support the economic health of the East Bay.
“We must look out for the well-being of our communities and the economic health of the East Bay. The airport is an economic engine for our region, and the renaming will protect and create jobs,” said Alameda Supervisor Lena Tam.
But now Oakland officials face pushback from their San Francisco neighbors who say at least one airline, Azores Airlines, has already adopted the new name, causing “economic harm” to the San Francisco International Airport.
“We want to see the entire Bay Area thrive as a tourist destination and expand our offerings to visitors, but the renaming is not a legal or practical way to go about it,” Mr. Chiu said.
San Francisco International Director Ivar C. Satero said in the same press release that the airport backs the lawsuit, noting that the name change could confuse travelers.
“The proposed renaming of Oakland International Airport will have a detrimental impact on the passenger experience, creating confusion and frustration for travelers, especially those from foreign markets. For these reasons, we support this legal challenge and urge the Port of Oakland to find a solution that puts all Bay Area airport customers first,” Mr. Satero said.
According to San Francisco officials, SFO opened in 1927 and has used the name “San Francisco Airport” or “San Francisco International Airport” ever since, and has owned the U.S. federal trademark registration for the latter since 1954. The registration has received “incontestable” status under federal law, which officials say gives them the exclusive use of the trademark.
The similarity between the Oakland Airport’s new name and its own constitutes trademark infringement, according to the press release. Also, San Francisco was given just 30 minutes’ notice of the renaming before it was first announced in late March, officials said, and have been ignored when attempting to engage in discussions over other solutions, they said.
But Oakland officials haven’t backed down and have laid claim to the name because of their city’s location, which they say is closer to a majority of the Bay Area.
In an April 2 press release, Oakland airport officials said “no one owns the title to the San Francisco Bay” and that Oakland’s airport is closer to more than 58 percent of the Bay Area’s population.
Officials said the change would create more direct flights to domestic and global destinations out of the Bay Area.
“Market research and interviews with airline partners have shown that routes have not performed as well as they should have due to the lack of geographic awareness, making air carriers reluctant to sustain and add new routes in Oakland,” said Port of Oakland Interim Director of Aviation Craig Simon in the press release.
San Francisco’s lawsuit seeks an injunction to stop the use of the new name and an order declaring Oakland has infringed on SFO’s trademark, requiring it to destroy or transfer all images containing the new name. It also seeks damages and fees.
