Local councillors backed the move at a meeting yesterday, just as BAA released this statement to the local rag…
"We understand the desire to celebrate R J Mitchell's achievements and we do this in a number of ways here at Southampton Airport.
These include the Spitfire Loop and Mitchell Way roads at the Airport, and a replica of the prototype Spitfire on public display in the airport terminal.
"We recently hosted the re-enactment of the first flight of the Spitfire on March 5th, which included a flypast of parts of Eastleigh and Southampton.
"We are currently sponsoring a Spitfire Exhibition at Eastleigh Museum, which opened this week and will run until May 27th.
"However, we will not be renaming the Airport, as we believe the traditional, geography-based name helps passengers to easily understand our location, especially our international visitors."
Last edited by fradu; 21st Apr 2006 at 19:09.