Officials in California are considering adding the name of neighboring San Francisco to Metropolitan Oakland International Airport in order to increase awareness among passengers about the proximity of the two cities. Market research has shown that lack of geographic awareness has led to a decrease in routes at the airport since 2008, causing airlines to be reluctant to sustain or add new routes. The Port of Oakland’s interim aviation director, Craig Simon, believes that adding San Francisco’s name could help improve the situation.
However, not everyone is on board with the idea. San Francisco International Airport director Ivar C. Satero is concerned that adding San Francisco to the Oakland airport’s name will cause confusion. City Attorney David Chiu also expressed opposition, threatening a lawsuit on the grounds that it would violate San Francisco Airport’s trademark. There are fears that consumers may misunderstand the location of the airport or believe there is a connection between the two airports that does not exist.
The potential name change comes at a time when the Oakland Athletics have announced their departure to play games in Sacramento while their new home in Las Vegas is being built. This follows the relocation of the Raiders to Las Vegas and the Golden State Warriors’ move to San Francisco in recent years. State senator Scott Wiener has expressed doubt that changing the airport’s name will address Oakland’s larger issues, suggesting that alternative solutions are needed to turn things around for the city.
Despite the opposition, the Port of Oakland is continuing to explore the possibility of adding San Francisco to the airport’s name in an effort to attract more passengers and routes. The goal is to make travelers aware that flying into Oakland is not so different from flying into Newark to reach New York City. By increasing geographic awareness, officials hope to see an improvement in route performance and a greater willingness from airlines to sustain and add new routes at the airport.
Ultimately, the decision to add San Francisco to the Metropolitan Oakland International Airport’s name is a contentious one, with arguments for both sides. While some believe it could help boost air traffic and routes at the airport, others fear it will lead to confusion and legal issues. As the discussions continue, it remains to be seen whether the name change will move forward and what impact it will have on the airport, the cities of Oakland and San Francisco, and the broader aviation industry in California.
