The Oakland International Airport is considering adding “San Francisco” to its name in an effort to attract more passengers, with the Board of Commissioners for the Port of Oakland discussing the potential rebrand. Officials at the airport believe that many travelers mistakenly fly into San Francisco’s airport even when their destination is closer to Oakland, leading to a decline in routes and airline partnerships. By adding “San Francisco” to its name, they hope to increase geographic awareness and encourage more routes and partnerships.
The potential name change comes at a time when Oakland is facing challenges such as rising crime and the loss of professional sports teams like the Oakland Athletics. With the Athletics announcing their departure from Oakland after this season, the city will no longer have any major sports teams, adding to the pressure to attract visitors and improve economic opportunities. However, the possibility of changing the airport’s name has sparked backlash from San Francisco officials, who are concerned that it will confuse travelers, especially those flying in from abroad. San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu has threatened to sue Oakland officials if they pursue the name-change, citing trademark violations.
San Francisco residents and officials are particularly opposed to the name-change, arguing that it will create confusion for travelers and undermine the city’s established brand. San Francisco International Airport’s director, Ivar C. Satero, expressed deep concern over the potential for customer confusion and disservice, emphasizing the importance of maintaining clear distinctions between the two airports. Helen Han, a San Francisco resident, also expressed reservations about the proposed name-change, highlighting the potential confusion for first-time visitors to the Bay Area. San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors and State Sen. Scott Wiener have also opposed the name-change, urging the port commission to reject the proposal.
Critics of the name-change have pointed out that San Francisco International Airport is actually located in Millbrae, not San Francisco itself, raising questions about the significance of city names in airport branding. Some have suggested that the focus should be on improving services and facilities at Oakland International Airport rather than changing its name to emulate a neighboring city. The debate over the potential name change reflects broader discussions about regional identity and branding in the Bay Area, with stakeholders expressing various perspectives on the implications and significance of such a decision. Ultimately, the fate of the renaming proposal will be determined by the Port of Oakland’s Board of Commissioners, who will weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks of rebranding the airport as San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport.
