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OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) — A key vote is happening Thursday in the saga over a potential name change for Oakland International Airport.
The Oakland airport wants to add “San Francisco Bay” to its name, but San Francisco is saying “No.”
The proposed name has caused weeks of back and forth between leaders of both Bay Area cities.
On Thursday, the Port of Oakland’s Board of Commissioners will vote to give final approval to change the name.
San Francisco has already sued to stop it, saying it would cause confusion for travelers and that it infringes on SFO’s trademark.
On Wednesday, San Francisco’s City Attorney David Chiu sent a letter urging Oakland port commissioners to reconsider, in hopes of avoiding costly legal battles.
“If Oakland continues to rebuff our offers to partner, we will have to move forward with next steps in our trademark lawsuit,” Chiu said.
In his letter, he says that both sides should work together on a name that benefits both airports.
The port’s board of commissioners voted unanimously to change the name in early April when they told ABC7 News in a statement:
“SFO cannot lay claim to the geographically-descriptive term ‘San Francisco,’ let alone claim exclusive rights to the San Francisco Bay. The Port trusts that travelers understand that the San Francisco Bay-like virtually every other major metropolitan area throughout the world can contain more than one airport.”
The Port Commission did tell ABC7 previously they would make sure it is clear travelers know where Oakland is geographically.
If you’re on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live
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