The Port of Oakland has revealed plans to rename the city's airport to "Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport," a bid to bolster its identity within the region and emphasize its proximity as a Bay Area hub. According to the Port of Oakland, the change is part of a dynamic effort to increase air travel, amplify local commerce, and increase visitor spending in the local economy. The Port Board is set to weigh in on this decision during its July 10 meeting.
The proposed name alteration seeks to place Oakland at the heart of its airport brand, letting travelers know its centrality to the Bay Area. "We are proud to be a central gateway to the Bay Area, and we’re proud to embrace a name that reflects both our local roots and regional reach," stated Craig Simon, Director of Aviation at the Port of Oakland. "‘Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport’ does both, putting Oakland first and highlighting our central location in the Bay Area for all visitors," he told the Port of Oakland.
Renaming the airport is also seen as a strategic move to foster regional economic upturn, especially as the aviation sector reckons with a downturn in air travel. More flights into and out of Oakland are expected to inject additional dollars into the local economies and aid the East Bay area. "Every new flight at OAK can generate millions of dollars in economic activity, more small business opportunities, more tourism in our city, and more investment in all of our East Bay communities," Kristi McKenney, Executive Director of the Port of Oakland, emphasized in a statement, per the Port of Oakland.
