City Of San Francisco Sues Port Of Oakland Over Planned Airport Name Change

Saying the Port of Oakland has failed to “come to its senses” regarding changing the name of Metropolitan Oakland International Airport (OAK), San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu has filed a lawsuit to prevent “San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport” from becoming OAK’s new name.

The city of San Francisco says the Port, which owns and runs OAK, is infringing on the federal trademark of San Francisco International Airport (SFO), which is owned by the city. Chiu had publicly threatened to sue unless the Port backed off its effort to change the name.

In a 39-page lawsuit, Chiu argues the Port is moving ahead with name change—which has gained preliminary approval ahead of expected final clearance in May—without any consideration for the consequences or without making any effort to work with San Francisco officials on the issue. The lawsuit alleges SFO Director Ivar Satero was given only 30 min. notice before the Port and OAK issued a press release in March revealing plans for the name change.

“The airport director immediately expressed significant concern, requested information on the basis for the proposed renaming and offered to discuss the matter further,” the lawsuit states. “But defendant [the Port] did not respond.”

In a statement released announcing the lawsuit, Chiu said “Oakland has refused to engage with San Francisco on multiple offers to collaborate on alternative names, leaving San Francisco with no choice but to take legal action to prevent the misuse of its trademark.”

The name change would “very likely cause widespread confusion, mishaps and economic loss for travelers, to the detriment of both airports and the Bay Area overall," Chiu added. "The renaming plan appears intentionally designed to divert travelers who may be unfamiliar with Bay Area geography and lead them to believe OAK has a business relationship with SFO, which it does not.”

United Airlines, which has a hub at SFO, is publicly opposing OAK’s proposed name change. By contrast, Southwest Airlines, which is the dominant airline at OAK, has stated public support for the name change.

OAK has argued its location in the Bay Area is not well known—SFO and OAK are 30 mi. driving distance apart on opposite sides of San Francisco Bay—making airlines reluctant to add new routes and less likely to maintain routes. The Port said it would defend the lawsuit.

The lawsuit states that the Port’s “misplaced resolve does not save [the new name’s] unlawful use.”

Satero said after the lawsuit was filed that SFO has an “established brand that is instantly recognizable to travelers around the world.” He added the renaming would “have a detrimental impact on the passenger experience, creating confusion and frustration for travelers, especially those from foreign markets.”