'Croydon International Airport rebrand for Gatwick would turn borough into economic powerhouse'
GATWICK Airport should be renamed "Croydon International" to help turn our borough into an "economic powerhouse".
This is the view of Kenley councillor and Croydon Greater London Authority member Steve O' Connell, who revealed he has held talks with Gatwick's chief executive about a name change – even though the airport is a full ten miles from our borough.
Mr O' Connell raised the issue at an assembly meeting on Wednesday, where he stressed his support for a second runway at the Sussex airport.
He then stated his view that "Gatwick is Croydon's first and best international connection, and it only makes sense to link it by name to this recognisable part of London".
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Mr O' Connell said: "I think there is a need for increasing airport capacity so, by 2020, Gatwick should have a second runway.
"The majority of people flying into Gatwick are coming to visit London. Croydon is less than ten miles from the airport, it is thought of as a south London airport, and should be named so.
"The whole area is being regenerated with Westfield and Hammerson coming in and is becoming an economic powerhouse."
Mr O' Connell confirmed he had spoken to Stewart Wingate, chief executive of Gatwick, about renaming the airport.
However, Mr O' Connell's fellow Conservative, Crawley MP Henry Smith, whose constituency includes Gatwick, told the Advertiser he "respectfully disagrees" with the idea.
Mr Smith said: "With respect, I think the airport is so well-known globally that renaming it is not a good idea. Croydon is miles down the road and renaming it Croydon International Airport could cause some confusion.
"I suppose this is all part of the healthy debate over aviation, but Gatwick has been known by this name for many years the world over and changing it would be unwise."
A Gatwick spokesman didn't comment specifically on the renaming call, but said: "We welcome support for our plans to expand Gatwick which would enable us to provide jobs and help support the economic growth of important surrounding towns like Croydon."
In the early 20th century, Croydon was home to the country's largest airport – now the site of Airport House business centre, off the Purley Way.
It was the first airport to introduce air traffic control, before closing to civil aviation in 1939.
6 Comments
by ArfurZTowcrat
Monday, February 18 2013, 9:32PM
“I've got a better idea. Let's rebrand our town Gatwick City.”
by Mikygee
Saturday, February 16 2013, 12:15PM
“I was born And bred near Gatwick and it is a full FIFTEEN miles from Croydon. Redhill and Crawley are much nearer. This councillor needs to find something to do and forget this utter madness.”
by bobbyvegas
Friday, February 15 2013, 1:28PM
“This is a brain-less suggestion. Hang your head in shame.”
by Waddonite
Friday, February 15 2013, 12:54PM
“I completely disagree with the name change. For a start, there are towns nearer Gatwick anyway, we are a full ten miles away. I work for a hotel and we already get guests confused because they think we are near Heathrow Airport. Also, we already HAD a Croydon Airport, and Airport House still stands today as a monument to the part it played in the war. I feel it would be disrespectful.”
by allanp1963
Friday, February 15 2013, 12:33PM
“And whilst we're at it, why not re-brand Heathrow as Croydon West, City Airport as East Croydon International and Luton as Croydon North International Airport. That should cover it......
I'm sure it's 15th February today and not 1st April.”
by nickthompson
Friday, February 15 2013, 9:59AM
“I do hope councillor O'connel makes a complete and quick recovery,could it be that Gatwick is not Croydon,or vica verca.”