Evidently, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim aren’t the one group with big-city envy.
The Oakland Board of Port Commissioners voted Thursday to vary the identify of the airport to “San Francisco Bay Oakland Worldwide Airport” in an try to deliver extra recognition to the airport.
Regardless of opposition from some locals and San Francisco officers, the commissioners voted unanimously to undertake the brand new moniker, changing the extra exact “Metropolitan Oakland Worldwide Airport.” The airport’s three-letter code, OAK, will stay the identical, a lot to the reduction of journey brokers and airline ticketing programs.
The identify change is an try to boost consciousness of the Oakland airport’s location within the San Francisco Bay Space, the place it’s been since 1927, based on a information launch from the Board of Port Commissioners.
“Our Board got here to those discussions with a shared love of Oakland and a want to see our metropolis and airport thrive,” Port Fee President Barbara Leslie mentioned in a press release. “Since our preliminary vote, the Port has met with dozens of neighborhood leaders and stakeholders and heard their issues. We’re transferring ahead with a dedication to honoring our previous whereas constructing a stronger, extra inclusive future.”
Earlier than the brand new identify can lure extra vacationers to the modest, two-terminal airport on the east aspect of the bay, nevertheless, the board must fend off a authorized problem from the town on the west aspect.
San Francisco filed a lawsuit towards Oakland within the U.S. District Court docket on April 18, alleging that the brand new identify would infringe on the trademark it holds for the San Francisco Worldwide Airport’s identify. That airport, by the best way, is positioned between San Bruno and Millbrae in unincorporated San Mateo County, about 13 miles south of the San Francisco Metropolis Lawyer’s workplace.
The Port of Oakland filed a counterclaim Thursday, asking the court docket to rule that the brand new airport identify doesn’t infringe on the SFO trademark.
“The San Francisco’s Metropolis Lawyer’s choice to pursue litigation is an try to cease client schooling, forestall expanded air journey choices for Bay Space residents and guests, and is a misguided use of San Francisco taxpayer {dollars},” mentioned Port Lawyer Mary Richardson in a press release.
The San Francisco Worldwide Airport has used San Francisco Airport or its present identify for many of its historical past. Officers have expressed “critical issues” in regards to the renaming of Oakland’s airport, saying that it might trigger confusion and financial loss for vacationers.
“San Francisco took no pleasure in submitting this lawsuit,” mentioned Metropolis Lawyer David Chiu in a press release. “We urge Oakland leaders to see purpose and collaborate with us in order that we are able to keep away from pricey litigation. If we are able to work collectively on a reputation that meets the targets of each airports, we should always achieve this for the great of all vacationers and our area.”
