OAKLAND — The naming war between two of the region's three largest airports has intensified after San Francisco asked a federal court to bar Oakland from using the brand new name for the East Bay Airport.
San Francisco has asked a federal court to dam Oakland from using the name San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport for its East Bay air transportation hub, in accordance with U.S. District Court filings in San Francisco.
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The recent name had already aroused San Francisco's ire before the Port of Oakland approved the change in May, sparking a reputation war that resulted in a lawsuit by San Francisco against Oakland and a countersuit by Oakland against San Francisco.
San Francisco is now in search of an injunction to forestall Oakland from continuing to make use of the brand new name while the court proceedings drag on.
“We're already seeing travelers confused by the use of Oakland's new name,” said David Chiu, San Francisco's city attorney. “This was entirely predictable and avoidable.”
The Port of Oakland, which owns and operates the airport, accused San Francisco authorities of acting in bad faith.
“The San Francisco District Attorney's latest request for a preliminary injunction is a continuation of tactics based on publicity and anti-competitive bullying rather than legal grounds,” said Mary Richardson, attorney for the Port of Oakland. “The Port of Oakland has filed a countersuit against SFO and has yet to receive a response.”
San Francisco asked for more time to reply, which Oakland granted, in accordance with airport officials.
“Unfortunately, it appears that the SFO is trying to create confusion and wipe Oakland International Airport off the map under the guise of legal documents,” Richardson said.
Despite the name change, Oakland Airport has retained its International Air Transport Association code OAK.
“The convenience and comfort of traveling through OAK will not change with our name,” said Craig Simon, Oakland's interim director of aviation, in May. “OAK is the closest major airport to 58 percent of the Bay Area population. This designation will show the world who we serve.”
San Francisco officials said they’ve tried several times to work with Port of Oakland officials to search out an alternate name for the East Bay airport to avoid a significant legal battle.
“We have tried to negotiate with those in charge in Oakland to avoid litigation,” Chiu said. “Unfortunately, these efforts have been unsuccessful. We have no choice but to ask the court to intervene and protect our brand.”
The city's attorney general's office said it couldn’t disclose the names proposed by San Francisco as alternatives because they were discussed in mediation, a legal process.
“We've built an incredible brand that we need to protect,” Chiu said. “Oakland has a trademark for Oakland International Airport. It should use that and stay away from the San Francisco brand.”
The renaming of the East Bay air traffic hub is an element of an effort by OAK airport officials to significantly increase awareness of the travel complex, which has struggled to get back on its feet following the coronavirus pandemic.
In 2023, Oakland handled only about 11.24 million passengers. San Francisco, then again, handled greater than 50 million. Oakland Airport has also lost quite a few routes.
In the 12 months through June, Oakland International Airport handled 11.27 million passengers, down 15.8% from pre-coronavirus 2019. Oakland's numbers for calendar 12 months 2023 were 16% below the 2019 total.
Officials at San Francisco Airport fear that passengers could book flights to the fallacious airport because “San Francisco” is included in each names.
“We have observed numerous cases of customer confusion due to the renaming of Oakland Airport,” said Ivar Satero, director of San Francisco International Airport, also often called SFO.
SFO officials noted that the airport, which is situated on the peninsula quite than in the town of the identical name, has worked hard to construct its brand.
“San Francisco invests millions of dollars annually to promote its airport under its trademarked name. In the last ten years alone, over $34 million has been spent,” SFO officials said.
Those liable for Oakland Airport emphasize that with the brand new name and increased attention they wish to expand the alternatives available to air travelers.
“This has never been about SFO or confusion,” Richardson said. “It's about educating travelers about the choices they have when traveling to the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area.”
Officials at Oakland Airport consider San Francisco has ulterior motives behind its legal maneuvers.
“It is nothing more than an attempt to stifle competition and travel opportunities for Bay Area residents and position SFO as the only airport serving the San Francisco Bay Area,” Richardson said. “It is not, and OAK will continue to aggressively fight for its position in the San Francisco Bay Area.”
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