Wearside Lib Dems bid to rename Newcastle Airport to ‘Newcastle Sunderland Airport’
Lib Dem councillors on Wearside want the airport to be renamed to reflect the growing ambitions of Sunderland and help put the city on the international map.
A bid has been launched to rename Newcastle Airport to 'Newcastle Sunderland International Airport' to reflect both of the cities it serves in Tyne and Wear.
Wearside Liberal Democrats have lodged a debate and vote at the upcoming meeting of all 75 Sunderland City Councillors taking place on 23rd June.
Sunderland City Council is one of the local authority shareholders which between them own 51% of the Airport's operation.
Commenting, Lib Dem city councillor for Grindon and Thorney Close Paul Edgeworth said:
"Renaming the airport to 'Newcastle Sunderland' would be a major boost putting Sunderland on the map as an ambitious city that is serious about attracting new jobs, businesses and investment. It would also help to support and promote the University and ties in with the push to regenerate the city centre and invest in our tourism and culture offer.
"People in Sunderland, through the local council, own a significant share of Newcastle Airport but feel like on this issue, just like many others, our Council lets Sunderland be overlooked in favour of Newcastle.
"That's why Liberal Democrats are asking Sunderland Council to show some leadership and ambition for our city by using its significant shareholding in the airport to fight to rename it to 'Newcastle Sunderland International Airport'
"This would follow in the footsteps of the likes of Leeds Bradford and Doncaster Sheffield Airports which reflect both of the major places they serve - and if the renaming took place in 2022 it would be a fitting tribute to mark the 30th anniversary of Sunderland gaining city status."