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21/03/2006
City airport to be renamed in honour of George Best
Belfast City Airport is to be renamed as a tribute to soccer legend George Best.
The announcement made today followed a number of discussions with members of the Best family.
A ceremony to unveil the new signage will be held at the east Belfast airport on May 22 to coincide with what would be the former Northern Ireland International's 60th birthday.
Airport Chief Executive Brian Ambrose said: "George Best was the finest footballer Northern Ireland has ever produced and one of the greatest footballers to grace the world stage, and a man who the public had great affection for.
"We believe that renaming the airport after George is a fitting and permanent tribute to his footballing brilliance."
A spokesman for the Best family today said that they were delighted with the gesture
He continued: "The airport is synonymous with east Belfast and with thousands of people using it on a daily basis, George's memory will never be forgotten.
"This is a highly visible and lasting memorial to George that we hope will please many people in Northern Ireland."
Last week, budget airline Flybe, dedicated an aircraft to the memory of the soccer star by placing his image, in his Manchester United glory days on the front of the Belfast to Manchester flight.
It is also understood that Belfast City Council are to erect a statue at an undecided location in the city centre in his honour.
Around 2.2 million travellers use the Belfast City Airport each year and the renaming follows a similar move by the city of Liverpool, which renamed its airport after one of its most famous sons, John Lennon, who died in 1980.
(EF/SP)
The announcement made today followed a number of discussions with members of the Best family.
A ceremony to unveil the new signage will be held at the east Belfast airport on May 22 to coincide with what would be the former Northern Ireland International's 60th birthday.
Airport Chief Executive Brian Ambrose said: "George Best was the finest footballer Northern Ireland has ever produced and one of the greatest footballers to grace the world stage, and a man who the public had great affection for.
"We believe that renaming the airport after George is a fitting and permanent tribute to his footballing brilliance."
A spokesman for the Best family today said that they were delighted with the gesture
He continued: "The airport is synonymous with east Belfast and with thousands of people using it on a daily basis, George's memory will never be forgotten.
"This is a highly visible and lasting memorial to George that we hope will please many people in Northern Ireland."
Last week, budget airline Flybe, dedicated an aircraft to the memory of the soccer star by placing his image, in his Manchester United glory days on the front of the Belfast to Manchester flight.
It is also understood that Belfast City Council are to erect a statue at an undecided location in the city centre in his honour.
Around 2.2 million travellers use the Belfast City Airport each year and the renaming follows a similar move by the city of Liverpool, which renamed its airport after one of its most famous sons, John Lennon, who died in 1980.
(EF/SP)
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Airline To Make 'Easymove' To City
Two so-called low-cost airlines are set to go head-to-head next year with news that Easyjet is to move one of its busiest routes from Belfast International Airport to the George Best Belfast City Airport. The orange and white brightly-liveried planes will operate a twice-daily service to London Luton from 7the January next year.
Airline To Make 'Easymove' To City
Two so-called low-cost airlines are set to go head-to-head next year with news that Easyjet is to move one of its busiest routes from Belfast International Airport to the George Best Belfast City Airport. The orange and white brightly-liveried planes will operate a twice-daily service to London Luton from 7the January next year.
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