Port of Oakland considers name modification for OAK

The Port of Oakland will consider modifying the airport's name to San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport from its current official name, the Metropolitan Oakland International Airport (OAK). The airport code OAK and visual brand will not change.

"The Port is considering a name modification to boost inbound travelers’ geographic awareness of the airport’s location on the San Francisco Bay.” Port Commission President Barbara Leslie also said, “This will protect our airport's over 30,000 good-paying, direct jobs and $1.6 billion in economic impact on the region."

OAK also has strong support from its airline partners.

“Oakland helped put us on the map in California and we’re wholeheartedly supportive of this rebranding that acknowledges OAK’s economic position and influence in the San Francisco Bay area while staying true to its Oakland roots,” said Jennifer Bridie, Vice President of Marketing Communications & Strategy at Southwest Airlines.

OAK consistently hears from local travelers about their desire for more direct flights to domestic and global destinations. To make this happen, travelers who live outside the region need to learn that OAK is located in the San Francisco Bay Area and close to the region’s top destinations.

“Market research and interviews with airline partners have shown that routes have not performed as well as they should have due to the lack of geographic awareness, making air carriers reluctant to sustain and add new routes in Oakland,” said Port of Oakland Interim Director of Aviation Craig Simon. “From July 2008 to March 2024, the Airport added 54 new routes; 39 of these and 6 pre-existing destinations were lost.”

Modifying the airport’s name is part of a broader effort to improve the passenger experience at OAK, including upgrading the Terminal 1 check-in lobby, restroom facilities, and providing new, local concessions and restaurants.

The Port Commissioners will consider the name modification of the airport at their April 11, 2024, Port Board meeting. Once the Port Commission has considered the name modification and taken an action, staff will move forward with the formal renaming, including working with air carriers, other airports and local agencies to reflect the modification in airport and airline systems.