The Oakland International Airport is stirring up controversy with its plan to rename itself as the San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport. Students and teachers are speaking out about the potential impact of this decision.
San Francisco is suing Oakland over its decision to rename its airport with “San Francisco Bay” preceding Oakland International Airport. The lawsuit accuses Oakland of trademark infringement and argues that the name change would lead to “consumer confusion.”
Julian Amann ’26 said, “Keeping the Oakland name makes sense because of where it is.” He added that changing it could ruin the city’s image.
Also, “Changing the name would create a bad reputation for the city because of the identity this airport gives them.”
Oakland’s airport, currently known as Oakland International Airport, hopes to attract more passengers and profits by incorporating San Francisco’s trademarked name. The move has sparked controversy, with Oakland’s board of commissioners voting in favor of the name change, pending a final vote this month.
Proponents of the name change, including Barbara Leslie, the port commission president, argue that it would clarify that Oakland is the closest major airport for millions of residents, businesses, and tourist destinations in the Bay Area.
However, officials in San Francisco have expressed strong opposition, fearing that the name change could confuse travelers, particularly those unfamiliar with the region or who do not speak English. San Francisco’s mayor, airport director, and board of supervisors have all voiced their disapproval of the plan.
In a post on X, State Senator Scott Wiener, representing San Francisco, emphasized the distinction between the two cities, stating, “I love Oakland, but Oakland is Oakland. It’s not San Francisco.”
Supporters of Oakland’s plan highlight that San Francisco International Airport is not actually located within the city but in the nearby community of Millbrae. They argue that the Oakland airport’s proximity to the San Francisco Bay justifies the name change.
The dispute has intensified, with San Francisco’s city attorney, David Chiu, expressing disappointment with Oakland’s lack of collaboration on finding an alternative name. The lawsuit signals a new chapter in the San Francisco-Oakland rivalry, highlighting the complexities of regional identity and competition in the Bay Area.
Michael Vezzali-Pascual ’88, native San Franciscan and lifetime Bay Area resident, said, “Lawsuits are messy and expensive, and Oakland has a lot to be proud of.” He added that this further intensifies “a sibling rivalry.”
Vezzali also said, “They probably want to get more business and revenue” and “They want more people” this is the truth about the Oakland airport.
