Airport names and political intrigue in the United States of America

An extensive 2015 CAPA report examined the naming of airports after individuals (eponyms) across the world and suggested that more can be expected. Recent events in the US, notably the renaming of Las Vegas' primary airport, suggest that politics is increasingly playing a role both in their naming and renaming.

Comparatively few of America's airports so far are named after politicians and they are equally split between Democrat and Republican. Few of the country's most influential early politicians are represented, and where they are it is usually at secondary airports. Likewise, only four of the last 10 presidents have their name appended to an airport.

But with the rise of identity politics the likelihood is that there will be more examples of the naming of an airport in support not only of an individual, but of a political doctrine.

This report looks at some of the candidates for this sort of recognition among some of the recent big beasts, and also those that aspire to be recognised in this way.