✈️ Bay Area Business Aviation Traffic Shifts East: KOAK Rises 15.2% to Top Spot
Avi-Go data shows that from January 1 to July 14, 2026, the four major airports in the San Francisco Bay Area recorded a combined total of 36,979 business jet movements, up 3.6% year-over-year (an increase of 1,284 movements), but nearly all of the growth was concentrated in the East Bay. Oakland KOAK jumped from 12,199 movements in the same period last year to 14,059, an increase of 15.2% (up 1,860 movements), becoming the only airport with double-digit growth and rising to first place in the Bay Area. San Francisco KSFO, by contrast, declined 3.9% to 13,998 movements (down 573), falling to second place. San Carlos KSQL similarly dropped 3.7%, while only Hayward KHWD saw a slight increase of 3.3%. Business aviation traffic is migrating from the San Francisco Peninsula to the East Bay.
Impact: The East Bay's handling capacity faces a test, with KOAK slots, hangars, and ground support resources tightening. If supporting infrastructure is insufficient, it could trigger peak-hour queuing and rising diversion costs. KSFO-related FBOs, meanwhile, face pressure from customer diversion and need to reassess their positioning in the Bay Area market.
Recommendation: East Bay FBOs and ground service providers should complete assessments of KOAK parking and hangar expansion before the end of Q3 2026 to lock in peak-season resources. KSFO operators can roll out a customer retention program for diverted clients before August, offering differentiated slots and service benefits to high-frequency customers who have shifted to the East Bay.