OAKLAND The name of Oakland’s airport actually means “putting the city first.” In an effort to alert travelers to the airport’s close proximity to Bay Area facilities, the East Bay organization has chosen Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport as its new designation.
Craig Simon, director of aviation for the Port of Oakland, the owner of the airport, stated in an interview prior to the announcement on Friday that by prioritizing Oakland, we are essentially asserting our claim to the Bay. This is about advancing Oakland and our East Bay economy, and we have been here for nearly a century.
This is OAK’s second recent attempt to change its name; the airport’s three-letter code will not change. The San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport name change was rejected by the Port of Oakland Board of Commissioners in May of last year.
Officials at San Francisco International Airport and the Oakland airport, who were unhappy with the ruling, went to court. In a November 2024 decision, U.S. Magistrate Thomas S. Hixson ruled in favor of San Francisco, claiming that the initial rebranding will cause tourists to assume the two airports are connected, causing irreversible damage to San Francisco International Airport.
Simon stated that prior to Friday’s announcement, San Francisco International Airport officials had not been consulted over the new name.
A spokesman for San Francisco International Airport, Doug Yakel, stated that as the two sides are still involved in an ongoing legal battle, he wanted to speak with the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office before making any comments.
Simon hopes the new moniker will be adopted.
The issue, according to Simon, is whether the airport may use the geographic identifier in its new name given that it is located on the San Francisco Bay and some infill property. Rather, the question is whether they ought to. Yes, he said, as doing so gives passengers more information about their trip options.
According to Simon, there is no denying that the airport is situated directly on the Bay. We ought to use the name. We ought to assign ourselves a geographical designation that is well-known throughout the world.
Regarding whether the name alone deters travelers from flying into Oakland, Simon noted that there are several factors at work and that the Port of Oakland has been making investments to enhance the airport’s and Oakland’s reputation in general.
According to Simon, new stores and food and drink sellers have begun opening up, highlighting Oakland’s current scene. Additionally, he said, efforts to update the airport’s terminals and create 16 additional gates are moving forward.
According to a news statement announcing the rebrand, all of the improvements, including the name change, are intended to serve as a significant economic development tool during a period when air traffic is declining and the city of Oakland is experiencing financial difficulties.
According to a statement from Port Executive Director Kristi McKenney, OAK is a vital source of economic growth for Oakland and the East Bay. Millions of dollars in economic activity, more small business possibilities, increased tourism in our city, and increased investment in all of our East Bay areas may be generated by each new flight at OAK.
After a series of decisions by the Port of Oakland Board of Commissioners, the name won’t be finalized until July 24. Simon stated that the team will concentrate on a comprehensive digital rebranding campaign if it is implemented.
We sincerely hope that they will be a little more accommodating to us this time and cooperate with us in determining how this name is implemented, Simon stated.
