By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
The Arkansas Municipal Airport Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to rename their busiest airport in honor of Bill and Hillary Clinton, according to the Chicago Tribune.
The change will likely not affect Little Rock’s current three-letter airport code ("LIT"), and the renaming of Adams Field to Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport will not take effect until the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) signs off. The FAA is expected to do so in the coming weeks.
The move is said to be part of a strategic plan to upgrade the current airport to an international hub. Currently, Adams connects the state to the larger airports nationwide. The commission plans to invest more than $67 million in renovations.
Jim Dailey, the chairman of the airport commission said in a statement, “Bill and Hillary Clinton not only devoted years of service to Arkansas, but have served the nation as a two-term President, and as First Lady, U.S. Senator, and Secretary of State -- that’s a legacy of which all Arkansans can be proud.”
In response, Bill Clinton released a short statement thanking the group for the honor. "We are grateful for this honor and for all that the people of Arkansas have done for us. And we look forward to many happy landings at the airport in the years ahead," he said.
If all goes as planned, this will be the first large scale US airport named after a woman. Currently, there are three smaller, regional airports named in honor of women. However, no airport bears the name of a former first lady, and only one airport (Washington Dulles) is named after a former Secretary of State.
