S.F. has no right to stifle competition, officials say
Oakland, Calif. – December 12, 2024: The Port of Oakland today filed a Notice of Appeal challenging the district court’s November 12, 2024, order temporarily blocking it from using OAK Airport’s new name. The Port is appealing because Bay Area travelers deserve adequate choices among airports in the same metro region that are allowed to compete on a level playing field. The appeal, which would likely be briefed in the coming months, will make clear that SFO did not present factual or legal evidence sufficient to support the court’s temporary prohibition on OAK using its new name.
Last month, the district court denied the majority of the City and County of San Francisco’s claims made in its motion for a preliminary injunction. The court found it was “unlikely to succeed” on its claim of confusion among consumers searching for and purchasing airline tickets to the Bay Area. The court also refused to consider SFO’s confusion survey, which included fictional screenshots of airline booking pages. The court characterized the survey as irrelevant, incomprehensible, and unreliable. The sole basis for the court’s order was the concern that OAK’s new name implies common ownership or other relationship between OAK and SFO when there is not.
“This lawsuit is nothing more than an attempt to stifle competition and travel choices for the Bay Area,” said Port of Oakland Attorney Mary Richardson. “San Francisco is trying to relegate OAK and Oakland to second-class citizens. The Port has no interest in passing off OAK as SFO. OAK is distinctly and proudly Oakland.”
The Port has always been proud of its airport and has spent years developing its distinct branding. The branding emphasizes the airport’s three-letter code (OAK) and promotes the ease and convenience that OAK offers all Bay Area travelers. OAK is not owned or operated by, or affiliated with, SFO Airport, which is located in San Mateo County and is owned and operated by the City and County of San Francisco.
OAK literally sits on the San Francisco Bay. Earlier this year, the Board of Port Commissioners approved a name change to include this geographic reference in the airport’s name while maintaining the OAK airport code, distinct branding, and the “I Fly OAK” logo. OAK is the closest major airport to 58 percent of the Bay Area population. The combined population of the counties closest to OAK is 4.1 million, compared with 1.5 million in San Francisco and San Mateo counties.
The airport directly creates 30,000 good-paying, local jobs and has over $1.6 billion in annual economic impact on Oakland and the greater San Francisco Bay Area. The Port is also improving the overall passenger experience through terminal upgrades and providing new local concessions and dining options.
About Oakland Airport
Oakland Airport (OAK) is the main airport for the greater East Bay, the most populated area in the metropolitan San Francisco Bay area. It is the closest airport to most Bay Area employers. By roadway and BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) air-rail, OAK enables excellent access to all the region’s business, entertainment, and tourism venues. The vision of Oakland Airport is to be the airport of choice for San Francisco Bay Area residents and visitors alike. OAK is operated by the Port of Oakland, which also oversees the Oakland seaport and 20 miles of East Bay waterfront. Together with its business partners, the Port supports more than 98,000 jobs in the region with more than a $174 billion economic impact.
Updates about current departure and arrival information, airport maps, and details about on-airport parking, shopping and dining and more, can be found at www.oaklandairport.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Media Contact
Kaley Skantz – Airport Spokesperson, [email protected]