(KRON) — The Port of Oakland filed an appeal on Thursday in an attempt to keep the name “San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport” as the Oakland airport’s official name. Last month, a court ruled that the airport must stop using the name.
It is the latest twist in a months-long saga after the Port of Oakland first announced the name change in March. The City of San Francisco sued the Port and City of Oakland over the new moniker, and a court ruled in its favor.
Now, the Port of Oakland is pushing back.
“The Port is appealing because Bay Area travelers deserve adequate choices among airports in the same metro region that are allowed to compete on a level playing field,” a press release from the port said.
The port is claiming that San Francisco did not provide enough evidence for the court to prohibit the airport from using the name.
“This lawsuit is nothing more than an attempt to stifle competition and travel choices for the Bay Area,” said Port of Oakland Attorney Mary Richardson. “San Francisco is trying to relegate OAK and Oakland to second-class citizens. The Port has no interest in passing off OAK as SFO. OAK is distinctly and proudly Oakland.”
San Francisco won its case after saying at least 15 travelers went to SFO when they meant to go to OAK. The court ruled that the airport’s new name made travelers think the two airports are associated with each other when they are not.
“San Francisco will suffer irreparable harm if a preliminary injunction is not issued,” court documents said.
The port wants to change the airport’s name to increase awareness of its location, claiming many travelers do not know Oakland is in the Bay Area.
(KRON) — The Port of Oakland filed an appeal on Thursday in an attempt to keep the name “San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport” as the Oakland airport’s official name. Last month, a court ruled that the airport must stop using the name. It is the latest twist in a months-long saga after the Port […]
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