The owners of Glasgow Prestwick Airport have rejected calls to rename the facility Robert Burns International in honour of the poet’s 250th birthday anniversary.
Advocates of the re-branding had hoped it would help boost the airport’s image among international travellers, but chief executive Mark Rodwell said it was more likely to confuse tourists.
Robert Burns is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and has been credited with being one of the pioneers of the 18th century Romantic movements.
Despite his pivotal role in the development of western culture, however, Glasgow Prestwick officials have insisted the bard – as he is popularly known – will do little to attract foreign visitors.
Rodwell explained: “We appreciate Robert Burns has a hugely important Ayrshire and Scottish identity and has followers around the world. However, like most airports, we rely on the location name to attract the vast majority of our customers.
“Glasgow Prestwick is the right name for this airport given that it is in Prestwick and its closest major city is Glasgow. Visitors may not instantly connect with or geographically place a Robert Burns brand.”
The proposal follows a move by Cardiff International Airport to considering re-naming itself after one of the Welsh capital’s most famous residents.
