Oakland, East Bay residents comfortable with modifying airport’s name

Oakland, CA - April 8, 2024: The Port of Oakland released survey results today showing that local residents are comfortable with modifying the airport's name. There was overwhelming support for the airport’s efforts to attract new travel destinations, create and sustain local jobs, and increase the economic vitality of Oakland, the East Bay, and greater Bay Area.

A memo on results from FM3, a respected Oakland-based polling firm, is available here.

"Our airport has done extensive research and interviewed airline executives to determine why OAK has not been able to sustain many of the new routes that have been launched over the last 15 years,” said Port of Oakland Executive Director Danny Wan. He continued, "The national and international passenger survey data and conversations with executives demonstrated that a lack of geographic awareness is a significant reason for these challenges. The increased competition for flights that this name modification would bring will benefit all Bay Area residents.” 

“The Port of Oakland and the airport surveyed our community before making this proposal,” said Matt Davis, Chief Public Engagement Officer for the Port of Oakland. He added, "The results were clear that Oaklanders and residents throughout the region want a wider choice of national and international direct flights from their home airport. Oaklanders by and large expressed their comfort with the prospect of the name modification at OAK to help achieve these goals.”

The Port of Oakland has proposed modifying the airport's name to “San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport” from its current official name, the “Metropolitan Oakland International Airport.” The airport code OAK and visual brand will not change. The airport creates over 30,000 direct jobs and generates $1.6 billion in economic impact for the region.

The Port Commissioners will consider the airport's name modification at their April 11, 2024, Port Board meeting. Once the Port Commission has considered the name modification and acted, 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.

About the Port of Oakland

The Port of Oakland generates vital economic activity, community benefits and environmental innovation, as the Port decarbonizes its operations for a cleaner and greener future. Along with its partners, the Port supports 98,345 jobs in the region and $174 billion in annual economic activity. The Port oversees Oakland International Airport, the Oakland Seaport and nearly 20 miles of waterfront including Jack London Square, and a publicly owned utility. The Port of Oakland is Everyone’s Port! Connect with the Port of Oakland and Oakland International Airport through Facebook and Twitter, or with the Port on LinkedIn, YouTube, and at www.portofoakland.com.

Media Contacts

Kaley Skantz
Port of Oakland
Airport Spokesperson/PIO
[email protected]

Click here to access the OAK media on-site request form.

Robert Bernardo
Port of Oakland
Director of Communications
[email protected]

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