Oakland, California, airport can use ‘San Francisco’ in name after settlement
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco has settled a two-year legal fight with its across-the-Bay neighbor that would allow the city of Oakland to add the word “San Francisco” to its airport name if it puts no emphasis on the two words.
The agreement announced Tuesday allows the Oakland airport to be called “Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport” but prohibits the city from featuring “San Francisco” or “San Francisco Bay” in fonts, accents, different colors or in any other way. It also requires Oakland to use the word “bay” immediately after “San Francisco” and prohibits the airport from using the word “International” in its name even though it provides international flights.
The debate began in 2024 after Oakland, a diverse port city often viewed as weak in the Bay Area compared to its wealthier neighbor to the West. changed the name of the airport Going to “San Francisco-Oakland Bay Airport”, which prompted San Francisco officials to take action sue They said it was trademark infringement.
The two airports are across from each other on San Francisco Bay and are approximately a 30-mile (48.28-kilometer) drive away.
Oakland officials said the name change was necessary to help travelers unfamiliar with the area place the city in the Bay Area. Visitors often fly into the San Francisco airport, they said, even if their destination is closer to the Oakland airport. The airport’s three-letter code, OAK, has not changed.
“We are proud that Oakland fought to preserve the full name of our airport, which puts Oakland first and recognizes OAK’s location on the San Francisco Bay,” Mary Richardson, attorney for the Port of Oakland, which manages the airport, said in a statement.
San Francisco argued that renaming Oakland airport “San Francisco” would confuse passengers, especially those coming from abroad and unfamiliar with the Bay Area. But on Tuesday, San Francisco officials struck a friendlier tone.
“We are grateful to have reached a resolution on this matter,” said San Francisco International Airport Director Mike Nakornkhet. “This agreement provides clarity for travelers to make informed decisions about travel through our respective airports.”
Neither party accepted liability and no monetary settlement was made.
San Francisco International Airport, known as SFO, is owned by the city, although it is technically located south of the city.
