With attention spans fried to a crisp, four syllables makes a difference.
The Northeast Florida Regional Airport plans to change its name back to a concise and more geographically comprehensible version – St. Augustine Airport.
Interim Executive Director Courtney Pittman told the St. Johns County legislative delegation at a meeting last week that the move would align the facility with the city’s formidable brand and spur high end tourism.
“By embracing it, we unlock a wealth of marketing potential,” Pittman said. “This decision strengthens the airport’s ties to luxury hotels, boutique accommodations and elite corporate clients. It also enhances our appeal as a venue for executive retreats, high end events and exclusive tourism.”
The change would revert the name to its original form.
In 2010, the Florida Legislature voted to change the name from St. Augustine Airport to the interminable Northeast Florida Regional Airport in St. Augustine. They trimmed it to its current format in 2016.
Going back to the future, Pittman argued, would be a boon across all sectors.
“In a competitive aviation market, separation is essential,” he said. “By adopting a name tied directly to an iconic destination our airport stands apart as an exclusive entry point to the nation’s oldest city. This distinction is especially critical in attracting private and corporate aviation clients who prioritize destination driven experiences.”
Pittman also noted that some travelers who book flights to the airport assume that they’re flying into Jacksonville due to the hazy title.
“You would have people get on commercial flights and land here in St. Augustine and think they were in Jacksonville and then they were lost,” he said. “Their loved ones would be at the airport to pick them up and that person wasn’t there.”
One Response
Yeah – who was the genius that thought NFRA was a good name – think concise simple, where you going
St Augustine!
Not where the he’ll is NFRA ….thanks for wasting more money now to change the name back !