OAK Expects 10% Increase in Memorial Day Holiday Traffic

Summer traffic boosted by eight new routes

Oakland, CA – May 21, 2015: This Memorial Day holiday weekend kicks off what is expected to be an especially busy summer travel season at Oakland International Airport (OAK), where new routes to new destinations are helping drive increased passenger traffic.

The airport expects to welcome approximately 155,000 travelers over the five-day Memorial Day holiday travel period from today through Monday, May 25 – a 10 percent increase over the same period last year.

For the full summer travel season measured from Memorial Day weekend through the end of August, OAK expects to see 3.4 million travelers, an increase of six percent over last year.

New Destinations

Airline capacity is up six percent this summer, with new nonstop services linking OAK with Baltimore-Washington, Dallas Love Field, Houston Intercontinental, Tijuana, Omaha, Nashville (starting June 7), New Orleans (starting June 7) and Columbus (starting August 9).

OAK’s summer flight schedule will offer 156 peak day departures to 48 domestic and international destinations – the most in its 88-year history.

New Dining Offerings

Travelers choosing Oakland International Airport for their summer travel this year will enjoy expanded dining and refreshment options, as a number of popular establishments have recently expanded, remodeled and added new offerings, including:

  • Oakland institution Fenton’s Creamery has moved to a new, larger location adjacent to Gate 25 in Terminal 2 and is expanding its offerings to include selections from its signature restaurant lunch and dinner menu
  • Pyramid Taproom has added a selection of all-new lunch and dinner menu items, expanded its seating area and installed new travel conveniences such as power outlets and purse / luggage hooks
  • Starbucks Coffee has refurbished all four of its locations in Oakland International Airport, using the brand’s newest “rustic industrial” interior design scheme with patio seating
  • Firewood Café is expanding its seating area and refreshing its overall space
  • Chili’s has remodeled its seating area, creating a more open atmosphere

New Transportation Options

In addition, the Bay Area’s most convenient airport is even more convenient this year, with its new Oakland International Airport BART Station now offering access to the entire BART system at the airport’s front door.

And for those who prefer to drive, OAK is offering the best deal running for on-airport parking: up to three days’ free parking in its Daily Lot for travel to any of 10 featured cities for travel occurring from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

New On-Airport Parking Discounts

Oakland International Airport’s “Park Free Summer” promotion runs from May 22 through September 7, 2015. Travelers departing OAK during this period on nonstop flights to Boston, Nashville, Baltimore-Washington, Columbus, Dallas Love Field, Houston Intercontinental, New York JFK, New Orleans, Omaha or Tijuana can get up to three days’ free parking in the airport’s Daily Lot.  These destinations can also be used as a connecting point in an itinerary, creating dozens more eligible destinations.

In order to receive Free Parking, travelers must complete an easy registration at OaklandAirport.com/ParkFree. The registration initiates the issuance of a unique Park Free coupon. This printed coupon must be presented together with a printed copy of a qualifying OAK round-trip e-ticket itinerary, boarding pass, or other proof of purchase, and an ID to a cashier upon exiting the airport lot.

New OAK flights and routes covered by the promotion include:

  • Baltimore-Washington – Southwest Airlines
  • Dallas Love Field – Southwest Airlines
  • Tijuana, Mexico – Volaris Airlines
  • Houston Intercontinental – Spirit Airlines
  • Omaha – Allegiant Air
  • New York – JFK – Jet Blue Airways
  • Boston – Jet Blue Airways (starts May 21)
  • Nashville – Southwest Airlines (starts June 8)
  • New Orleans – Southwest Airlines (starts June 8)
  • Columbus – Southwest Airlines (starts August 9)

Year-Round Parking Discounts

Ample parking is always available on-airport at OAK with a range of products offered for every budget. In addition to this summer’s Park Free promotion, OAK is offering travelers to any destination $4.00 off the daily rate for parking in its Economy lot or $8.00 off per day in its Premier, Hourly and Daily lots. Frequent travelers can get a day of free Daily lot parking with the purchase of three days at regular rates by using OAK’s Frequent Parker program.  Businesses can save $10 off daily rates for Premier, Hourly or Daily lots by registering in the OAK Corporate Parker program.

Details, requirements and registration for OAK’s parking programs are available at http://iparkoak.iflyoak.com.

More information on OAK destinations and airport services

California travelers’ information is posted at www.iflyoak.com; visitors to the San Francisco Bay Area will find www.flyoakland.com helpful; and we invite everyone to join the OAK conversation on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/iflyoak.

Members of the news media needing information or assistance in reporting news about Oakland International Airport may call the airport’s 24-hour Media Hotline at (510) 563-6500.

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About Oakland Airport (OAK)

Oakland Airport (OAK) is the main airport for the greater East Bay, the most populated area in the metropolitan San Francisco Bay area. It is the closest airport to most Bay Area employers. By roadway and BART air-rail, OAK enables excellent access to all of the region’s business, entertainment and tourism venues. The vision of OAK is to be the airport of choice for San Francisco Bay Area residents and visitors alike. OAK is operated by the Port of Oakland, which also oversees the Oakland seaport and 20 miles of East Bay waterfront. Together with its business partners, the Port supports more than 98,000 jobs in the region with more than a $174 billion economic impact.

Updates about current departure and arrival information, airport maps, and details about on-airport parking, shopping and dining and more, can be found at www.iflyoak.com. Follow us on FacebookTwitterInstagram, and LinkedIn.