Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Dave Pine, District 1
Subject: Resolution opposing the proposed renaming of the Metropolitan Oakland International Airport to “San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport”
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution opposing the proposed renaming of the Metropolitan Oakland International Airport to “San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport.”
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BACKGROUND:
On March 29, 2024, the Port of Oakland announced that its Board of Commissioners would consider an ordinance to rename the Metropolitan Oakland International Airport (OAK) to “San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport.” A proposed ordinance to authorize this renaming appears on the agenda for the Board of Oakland Port Commissioners’ meeting on April 11, 2024. Subsequent to the announcement, a number of concerns have been raised about the potential confusion that would result if this renaming occurs, especially with respect to the San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
Although SFO is owned and operated by the City and County of San Francisco, it is located in unincorporated San Mateo County. It is among the largest airports in the United States, having served over 50 million passengers in 2023 and SFO has used the name “San Francisco Airport” or “San Francisco International Airport” for most of its history, since its founding in 1927.
DISCUSSION:
SFO is a critical economic driver for San Mateo County, being one of the top five employers in the County with approximately 10,000 on-airport employees earning almost $1 billion in FY 2021; total business revenue impacts of more than $6 billion; and $98 million in direct tax impacts.
Given the strong associated name and brand recognition in air transportation, the proposal to rename Metropolitan Oakland International Airport to “San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport” has the potential to cause significant confusion for the travelling public and others, as well as to cause adverse economic impacts for businesses that have products delivered by plane or otherwise rely on SFO traffic.
There is the potential for confusion on the part of the traveling public, with travelers flying to OAK instead of SFO as a result, which may result in negative impact on employment, economic activity and revenue in San Mateo County.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact to passage of this resolution.