Oakland International to rehabilitate main runway with $37M FAA grant

Oakland, CA – (June 20, 2017): Today, Oakland International Airport (OAK) announces that it has received $37,406,854 from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to rehabilitate the Airport’s main runway.

The funds come by way of the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which allocates federal funding to US airports. Runway 12-30 is OAK’s main commercial air carrier runway, and the Airport last completed a runway pavement overlay in 2001.  The runway is currently due for a new overlay to provide a safe operating surface for aircraft and to maintain aviation safety standards.

As Runway 12-30 is typically in service 24 hours per day, staff has conducted a planning process with airlines, air carriers, the FAA, and other stakeholders to develop a preferred short-duration, full-closure option to minimize impacts to air carrier operations. A portion of the funding will be used to convert an existing taxiway into a temporary alternate runway, so that OAK’s flight operations are maintained during the Runway 12-30 rehabilitation activities.

“Oakland International is in the midst of strong economic growth, with more destinations than ever in our 90-year history,” said Bryant L. Francis, Port of Oakland Director of Aviation.  "The upcoming rehabilitation of Runway 12-30 has been a collaborative effort with the FAA and is made possible by this significant grant award and the ongoing support of our congressional delegation.  This critical project will ensure our primary air carrier runway remains functional and safe for all users.”

 “As a Member of the transportation funding committee, I was proud to support funding for the Oakland International Airport to complete its runway improvement project and ensure the highest safety standards are met. The Oakland International Airport is a major travel center and economic engine for the entire Bay Area and this funding will help ensure it remains competitive with our nation’s world class airports,” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee.

 In the last six months, OAK has welcomed both British Airways and Level – IAG’s legacy and brand new low-cost carriers – and has announced or commenced new flights to Newark, Detroit, Baltimore, Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos, Mexico; London, Copenhagen, Barcelona, and Rome.

The Airport has completed or is underway with several projects to ensure safety, security, and to enhance the customer experience at OAK, including:

• Opening of the award-winning Escape Lounge by MAG, OAK’s first all-access premium passenger lounge.

• Expansion of OAK’s International Arrivals Building (IAB), which will enable the Airport to simultaneously process passengers from two wide-body aircraft.

• Improvements to the areas surrounding its Terminal 1 security checkpoint.

Runway overlay construction at Oakland International is scheduled to take place this fall.

About Oakland International Airport

Oakland International is the fourth busiest airport in California and second busiest in the San Francisco Bay Area. Serving over 12 million travelers annually, OAK is the closest airport to the region’s top business and tourism venues. It is also the closest airport for most local residents.

Oakland’s air service roster to over 60 destinations is scheduled on 13 different airline brands – seven of which operate with OAK as their sole gateway into the San Francisco Bay region.

The vision of Oakland International Airport is to offer customers a world-class experience and be the airport of choice for Bay Area residents and visitors alike. OAK is operated by The Port of Oakland, which also oversees the Oakland seaport and 20 miles of waterfront. Together with its business partners, the Port supports more than 73,000 jobs in the region and nearly 827,000 jobs across the United States.

For up-to-the-minute departure and arrival information, airport maps, and details on shopping, dining, transportation, and more, visit www.oaklandairport.com. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release reflect not historical facts but forecasts, projections, estimates and other “forward-looking statements.” In this respect, the words “estimate,” “project,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “believe,” “forecast,” “assume” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forecasts, projections, estimates and other forward-looking statements are not intended as representations of fact or guarantees of results. Any such forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or performance to differ materially from those that have been forecasted, estimated or projected. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. The Port assumes no obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any changes in the Port’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Media Contact:
Keonnis R. Taylor
510-563-6500
[email protected]