Oakland residents endorse airport name adjustment for economic growth

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

The Port of Oakland unveiled the results of a survey indicating local residents’ support for adjusting the airport’s name. The findings demonstrate strong backing for the airport’s endeavors to expand travel options, foster local employment, and enhance economic prosperity across Oakland, the East Bay, and the broader Bay Area.

Accompanying the announcement is a memorandum detailing the results from FM3, a reputable polling firm based in Oakland.

“Our airport has done extensive research and interviewed airline executives to determine why OAK has not been able to sustain many of the new routes that have been launched over the last 15 years,” said Port of Oakland Executive Director Danny Wan. He continued, “The national and international passenger survey data and conversations with executives demonstrated that a lack of geographic awareness is a significant reason for these challenges. The increased competition for flights that this name modification would bring will benefit all Bay Area residents.”

“The Port of Oakland and the airport surveyed our community before making this proposal,” said Matt Davis, Chief Public Engagement Officer for the Port of Oakland. He added, “The results were clear that Oaklanders and residents throughout the region want a wider choice of national and international direct flights from their home airport. Oaklanders by and large expressed their comfort with the prospect of the name modification at OAK to help achieve these goals.”

The proposed adjustment entails renaming the airport to “San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport” from its current designation, “Metropolitan Oakland International Airport.” Notably, the airport code OAK and visual branding will remain unchanged. With over 30,000 direct jobs and a $1.6 billion economic impact for the region, the airport serves as a significant economic engine.

The Port Commissioners are slated to deliberate on the name adjustment during their meeting on April 11, 2024. Following the Commission’s decision, the staff will initiate the formal renaming process, collaborating with airlines, other airports, and local authorities to implement the change seamlessly across airport and airline systems.

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