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Pensacola Airport Has New Name
November 10, 2011
Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport has a new name — the Pensacola International Airport.
Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward said the name change was part of a broader effort to position Pensacola as an attractive place for businesses to locate or expand.
“We live and compete in a global economy, and we need to prepare and position our city to be competitive,” said Hayward. ”We don’t have to be a huge city to be a great place to do business, and this name change sends a signal to the region, the nation, and the world that Pensacola is accessible, that we are open for business, and that we are prepared to grow.”
Hayward said that other airports in the region were assumed to be larger and more worthy of investment or bonding simply because of their name or location. Airport Director Melinda Crawford had first-hand experience dealing with credit and bond agencies that assumed Pensacola was a smaller player in the Gulf Coast air passenger market based on the name of the airport.
“Pensacola serves more passengers than any other airport between New Orleans and Jacksonville, but when it comes to competing for capital dollars and bond ratings, a lot of inaccurate assumptions have been made about us based on our name,” said Crawford. ”That’s going to change today.”
The airport does not offer any international flights.
The announcement came as Mayor Hayward dedicated the airport’s new terminal expansion, part of an $82 million, five-year capital improvements project. The improvements also included a new baggage screening system, enlarged security checkpoint area, and new seating, flooring, and signage throughout the terminal.
Pictured: A new logo and name plaque unveiled Wednesday at the Pensacola International Airport. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
18 Responses to “Pensacola Airport Has New Name”
Why not name it Pensacola InterStellar Airport? Certainly that would create buzz.
I mean it is an international airport the way IHOP is an international house of pancakes.
Somebody ought to let the terrorist know this is all a bad joke.
Add a Cesna run between Pensacola and Mexico and they won’t be lying any more.
Until then they are.
Come to think of it, I knew some roads in Dixie County years back which would’ve qualified simply for the marijuana runs from Mexico which landed on them.
David for honesty
So they went from misleading to false advertising.
Way to step up, Pensacola!
wel according to wkrg there are supposed to b flights to the bahamas starting. And by the way you do NOT have to be an international airport to have the international name jus look at Panama City…. It certainly wont hurt anything!!
Its a great idea. Now lets lie to the world that we offer international flights. The reason people don’t fly Pensacola is because its a crap hole. Ohhh and because no one can afford to fly making the tiny wages pcola has to offer.
A wise man once said “You can change the wrapper, but it still won’t change the contents.”
International? Really? Who are we kidding?
Perhaps if you build it, or name it, they will come. I think Pensacola is very nicely positioned to offer flights to countries around the Caribbean.
Are there customs agents at the airport? Even tiny cities have them to be used as international airports.
I agree with CW, what’s the point. Or is it to make themselves feel more important then really are? I still fly out of Mobile, Pensacola is getting to full of its self. Next comes arrogance and greed.
Ummm……Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory. Thus, it would not be considered an “international” destination.
I’m all for bringing more business and jobs to the Pensacola area, but isn’t it a bit silly calling our airport an international airport when there are no international flights? Can’t we get a flight to Cozumel, or the Caymans, or Puerto Rico, or something?
Glad to see Pensacola Airport working to improve – in the past few years I have been booking all of my flights from this airport. It is SO nice not to have to drive 3 or 4 hours to get to an airport, the staff is always very friendly and helpful, flights are almost always on time, and its very rare you have to stand for long periods of time at security.
Sorry Plain Jane. It was 3am and when I saw the airport directorate sign with PENSACOLA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, I had read enough, or so I thought. I think its a little optomistic, to put it lightly, or politely.
Does Hayward understand that an International Airport is supposed to have INTERNATIONAL flights? This is going to be misleading and a joke to a lot of people. Pensacola is not a big city, no sense in pretending to be one.
Heck, you can’t even get direct flights to major US cities from Pensacola (except Southern hubs like Atlanta, Charlotte, and Memphis).
Regardless of what they call it, its one of the most friendly airports to travel to and from. The staff is nice, and im always happy to see it and fly out of it. Compared to a lot of other places in the USA that dont treat you so well.
I hope it stays friendly and nice always.
I wish people would read the article and understand what they read. There is not going to be International Flights. So why comment on something that not happening.
Im no engeneer, but I do not think the tarmac will be able to support the weight of the 747s used in most international (transoceanic) flights. I know there have been improvments made to the airport, but I doubt the runway is long enough. for these aircraft? Pensacola to Paris, goodluck.