Board Members Ponder Suggestions

Anyone For "Air Frantz?" That's one of the admittedly lighthearted suggestions board members heard this week, as they brainstormed potential new names of New England's Bradley International Airport.

The aim of the change is to broaden the airport's appeal, by luring more travelers to a... well, more important-sounding airport, according to the Hartford (CT) Courant.

This isn't the first time the topic has been raised... but some feel the time may be ripe for such a change, as the airport recently bolstered its "international" appeal with nonstop flights to Amsterdam, via Northwest Airlines.

The airport -- located in Windsor Locks, but serving the communities of Hartford and Springfield, MA -- also competes for passengers with Stewart International Airport in New York.

Suggestions include "Bradley-New England International Airport," or more simply "New England International Airport." Both names could strengthen the airport's regional identity.

"Bradley really is the gateway to New England," said board member David Kilborn.

Another board member had another idea... "Air Frantz," in honor of board chairman L. Scott Frantz, a pilot who often flies himself to board meetings.

"I'm just trying to get your juices going," Frantz told board members at the brainstorming session.

There may be drawbacks to changing the airport's name. For one, it would cost money to rebrand the airport -- to the possible tune of millions for new signs, logos, and other peripheral items.

More poignantly, the family of Lt. Eugene Morris Bradley -- after whom the airport is named -- could object to a name change. The field was named in honor of the Army Air Corps member, who was killed in a training accident at the field in August 1941.

Though not legally required to consult with Bradley's family on a name change, board members say they'd do it anyway, out of respect.

Historian Thomas Palshaw says he hasn't been able to locate any surviving relatives; however, he expects veterans groups to object to a name change.

Regardless of any name change, Bradley would likely retain its FAA identifier, BDL, reports the Courant.

FMI: www.bradleyairport.com