Aiming to associate the airport’s adjacency to the San Francisco Bay, the Oakland Board of Port Commissioners voted to rename the Metropolitan Oakland International Airport (OAK) to the San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport. The facility’s three-letter IATA code, OAK, and logo will remain the same.
The renaming is part of the airport’s initiative to grow its local economic impact, as well as improve passenger experience through terminal upgrades and new local concessions. OAK recently announced the opening of Berkeley-based Cancún Sabor Mexicano in Terminal 1.
While the airport has been located on the San Francisco Bay since 1927 and is close to many of the region’s tourist attractions, vineyards, research laboratories and universities, officials noted that many travelers are unaware of its proximity to Berkeley and San Francisco’s city centers.
“Our Board came to these discussions with a shared love of Oakland and a desire to see our city and airport thrive,” says Port Commission president Barbara Leslie. “Since our initial vote, the Port has met with dozens of community leaders and stakeholders and heard their concerns. We are moving forward with a commitment to honoring our past while building a stronger, more inclusive future.”
“The convenience and ease of traveling through OAK won’t change with our name,” adds interim director of aviation Craig Simon. “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. This designation will let the world know who we serve.”
