Search
Close this search box.

“RHODE ISLAND T. F. GREEN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT” LEGISLATION SIGNED INTO LAW

Share
Tweet
Share
Email
The Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) expressed its gratitude to Governor Dan McKee for signing legislation into law that changes the name of T. F. Green Airport to “Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport

The Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) expressed its gratitude to Governor Dan McKee for signing legislation into law that changes the name of T. F. Green Airport to “Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport.”  The legislation (2021-H.6051 and 2021-S.0519), introduced by Majority Leader Michael J. McCaffrey (D-Dist. 29, Warwick) and House Speaker Pro Tempore Brian Patrick Kennedy (D-Dist. 38, Hopkinton, Westerly), was recently passed by the Rhode Island House of Representatives (61-9) and Rhode Island Senate (34-2).  The new name, which provides improved geographic identification for the airport, will better position Rhode Island’s main airport to support the state’s economy and tourism sector.

“I want to extend my gratitude to Governor McKee and all in the General Assembly who joined together to build consensus and help secure the passage of this important legislation,” said Iftikhar Ahmad, President and CEO of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation.  “We welcome this change and applaud our elected officials that chose to help the airlines that choose to invest in Rhode Island.”

“On behalf of all at the Rhode Island Airport Corporation, I want to extend my thanks to the Governor as well as the General Assembly leadership who helped pass this bill into law,” said Jonathan N. Savage, chair of RIAC’s Board of Directors.  “This name change can help better identify Rhode Island as a destination for all travelers and we are confident this measure will have a long term benefit to Rhode Island’s economy.”

With the passage of the legislation into law, the Rhode Island Airport Corporation will soon begin to transition its branding to the name “Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport.”  Of the 376 primary mainland airports in the country as defined by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) only 32, including T. F. Green Airport, did not have the city, region or state in its name.  A 2018 brand awareness poll conducted by Pan Atlantic Research revealed low geographic name identification associated with the airport among regional, domestic and international travelers, leading to efforts to add a geographic identifier to the airport’s name.

Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport was initially established in 1931 as Hillsgrove State Airport.  In 1938, it was renamed T. F. Green Airport in honor of Rhode Island Governor and U.S. Senator Theodore Francis Green.  Today the airport is one of the fastest-growing airports in the U.S. Its complement of airlines includes: Air Canada, Allegiant Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Southern Airways Express, Sun Country and United Airlines with startup airline, Breeze Airways recently announcing the selection of Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport as one of only 16 debut network airports.

About Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport: A convenient and low-cost gateway to New England, Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport (PVD) has a large catchment area with 7.5 million residents within 90 minutes of the airport. It attracts passengers from nearby Massachusetts and eastern Connecticut. PVD is located just outside of Providence, Rhode Island. Well known for ease of traveler access, affordable parking, and faster security lines, Rhode Island  T. F. Green Airport was named as one of USA Today’s Readers’ Choice Best Small Airports” for 2021 as well as “Top Five” in Travel + Leisure’s “World’s Best 2020” Awards for Top Domestic Airports. Rhode Island T. F. Green International was most recently named 4th “Best Airport” in the U.S. in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.

Other News

Federal and State Officials Break Ground for Quonset State Airport Runway Project

Senator Jack Reed instrumental in securing Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Defense funding Quonset, RI – March 1, 2024 – With $63 million in funding secured, the Quonset State Airport (OQU) runway rebuild is now clear for takeoff. The Rhode Island Airport Corporation today hosted federal and state officials for a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Quonset State Airport Runway 16-34 Reconstruction Project. The runway

Read More »

NAPATREE MARKETPLACE OPENS AT RHODE ISLAND T.F. GREEN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Warwick, January 25, 2024 – The Rhode Island Airport Corporation is pleased to announce that its retail concessions partner, Paradies Lagardère, has opened Napatree Marketplace, a new retail shopping experience located at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport in the South Concourse near Gate 7. The store’s name pays tribute to Napatree Point, located in the Watch Hill District of Westerly, highlighting one of Rhode

Read More »

BREEZE AIRWAYS ANNOUNCES SEASONAL SERVICE TO GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG AND DENVER

Warwick, RI – January 23, 2024 – The Rhode Island Airport Corporation this week welcomed the announcement by Breeze Airways that it will offer seasonal service between Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport (PVD) to Greenville-Spartanburg, SC (GSP) and Denver, CO (DEN) beginning in May. Seasonal service to Greenville-Spartanburg on Mondays and Fridays will begin on May 3, 2024, while seasonal service to Denver

Read More »