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Small airports across the USA have been renaming themselves to boost visibility and gain an edge on competitors.
Take Stewart International Airport in Newburgh, N.Y., which is named after a local family. In May, it will become New York Hudson Valley International Airport.
In making the change, airport officials convey proximity to both Hudson Valley recreation areas and New York City. The airport is about 70 miles from Midtown Manhattan.
"Those are the two biggest marketing pluses that our airport has," says Newburgh airport executive Tanya Vanasse.
Says aviation consultant Robert Mann: "They're all looking for greater visibility and greater identity. If you take Stewart International, people say, 'Where the heck is that?' "
Among recent name changes:
Rockford, Ill. The airport added Chicago - a city whose airport congestion is legendary - to its name in November: Chicago/Rockford International. It's 90 miles from Chicago.
Rockford convention bureau Chairman Bob Rhea says the change has drawn travelers. "It drives home the fact that it's near Chicago," he says. "Everyone knows where Chicago is."
Savannah, Ga. About three years ago, the Savannah airport became the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. Almost half its passengers go to Hilton Head, S.C., where there's a smaller airport. Now, when people search Internet travel sites for Hilton Head and airport, the Savannah airport appears as an option.
Read the full article at http://namingjournal.com/recent_article_airports_plays_the_name_game.htm
Take Stewart International Airport in Newburgh, N.Y., which is named after a local family. In May, it will become New York Hudson Valley International Airport.
In making the change, airport officials convey proximity to both Hudson Valley recreation areas and New York City. The airport is about 70 miles from Midtown Manhattan.
"Those are the two biggest marketing pluses that our airport has," says Newburgh airport executive Tanya Vanasse.
Says aviation consultant Robert Mann: "They're all looking for greater visibility and greater identity. If you take Stewart International, people say, 'Where the heck is that?' "
Among recent name changes:
Rockford, Ill. The airport added Chicago - a city whose airport congestion is legendary - to its name in November: Chicago/Rockford International. It's 90 miles from Chicago.
Rockford convention bureau Chairman Bob Rhea says the change has drawn travelers. "It drives home the fact that it's near Chicago," he says. "Everyone knows where Chicago is."
Savannah, Ga. About three years ago, the Savannah airport became the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. Almost half its passengers go to Hilton Head, S.C., where there's a smaller airport. Now, when people search Internet travel sites for Hilton Head and airport, the Savannah airport appears as an option.
Read the full article at http://namingjournal.com/recent_article_airports_plays_the_name_game.htm
