(KRON) – Some travelers have already suffered from confusion between Oakland and San Francisco’s airports and landed at the wrong destination because of the Oakland airport’s name change made earlier this year, according to San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu.
Chiu is claiming that the name change infringes on San Francisco International Airport’s (SFO) trademark. The motion seeks to prevent further traveler confusion and mishaps that have occurred since the Oakland Board of Port Commissioners approved the infringing name on May 9.
On April 18, the city of San Francisco sued the city of Oakland for the Oakland airport name change which is similar to San Francisco International Airport’s trademark name. The Oakland airport’s name was once Metropolitan Oakland International Airport and was changed to San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport in May.
The Oakland airport and third-party sites have already begun utilizing the new name San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport, according to Chiu’s office. The controversial decision has sparked issues for travelers.
According to San Francisco attorneys, many travelers have questioned the relationship between the different airports and several have geotagged the wrong airport in social media posts.
SFO Airport Director Ivar C. Satero thanked Chiu for taking action against the name change that he says has stirred customer confusion, San Francisco attorneys argued.
“We have observed multiple incidents of customer confusion resulting from Oakland Airport’s rebranding,” said Satero.
According to the city attorney’s office, the Oakland airport has experienced confused customers as well, such as digital assistants and rideshare services directing travelers to the wrong airport. Chiu’s office said that SFO asked booth staff to document the ongoing chaos. SFO has logged multiple instances from June 18 to Aug. 23.
The city is suing not only for customer confusion but trademark infringement.
(KRON) – Some travelers have already suffered from confusion between Oakland and San Francisco’s airports and landed at the wrong destination because of the Oakland airport’s name change made earlier this year, according to San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu. Chiu is claiming that the name change infringes on San Francisco International Airport’s (SFO) trademark. […]
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