Oakland Airport has a new name, San Francisco doesn’t like it

Oakland airport (OAK) is changing its name after officials voted on Thursday to call it San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport, sparking controversy with SF. The city across the bay is not taking it in stride, saying the renaming will confuse the fliers.

The move aims to draw more visitors to Oakland. The port authorities argue the name change will help people recognize Oakland’s connection to the Bay Area, possibly leading to more flight options and boosting the local economy. Airlines that operate in Oakland back the rebrand.

According to Port Commission President Barbara Leslie, the name change will make it clear that “OAK is the closest major airport, for 4.1 million people, three national laboratories, the top public university in the country, and California’s Wine Country.”

The decision also seeks to clear up confusion among travelers who mistakenly land at San Francisco airport instead of Oakland.

San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu threatened to sue Oakland officials if they pursued the name change over “infringes on one’s trademark.” In response, the Port of Oakland said, “SFO cannot lay claim to the geographically-descriptive term ‘San Francisco,’ let alone claim exclusive rights to San Francisco Bay.”

The final approval is scheduled for May 9.