Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward joined local business leaders and airport officials today in announcing that Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport would change its name to Pensacola International Airport, effective immediately.

Hayward said the name change was part of a broader effort to position Pensacola as an attractive place for businesses to locate or expand. “We live and compete in a global economy, and we need to prepare and position our City to be competitive," said Hayward. "We don't have to be a huge city to be a great place to do business, and this name change sends a signal to the region, the nation, and the world that Pensacola is accessible, that we are open for business, and that we are prepared to grow."

Hayward noted that other airports in the region were assumed to be larger and more worthy of investment or bonding simply because of their name or location. Airport Director Melinda Crawford had first-hand experience dealing with credit and bond agencies that assumed Pensacola was a smaller player in the Gulf Coast air passenger market based on the name of the airport.

"Pensacola serves more passengers than any other airport between New Orleans and Jacksonville, but when it comes to competing for capital dollars and bond ratings, a lot of inaccurate assumptions have been made about us based on our name," said Crawford. "That's going to change today."

The announcement came as Mayor Hayward dedicated the airport’s new terminal expansion, part of an $82 million, five-year capital improvements project. The improvements also included a new baggage screening system, enlarged security checkpoint area, and new seating, flooring, and signage throughout the terminal.

Hayward said the name change was a small but very important detail in the world of economic development and business recruitment. "I've said before, the details matter. Whether it's planting trees along 'A' Street, or reshaping a retention pond, or changing the name of an airport, these small changes make a huge difference in the lives of our citizens and in the competitive standing of our City," said Hayward. "Our airport is often the first and last impression visitors have of our City, and as we all know, you don't get a second chance at those. Make no mistake, Pensacola can be a player in the regional, national, and global market for jobs and investment, and I'm going to do everything I can to give our City a competitive edge."

About Pensacola International Airport

Pensacola International Airport is the largest airport between New Orleans and Jacksonville, serving more passengers than airports in Biloxi, Mobile, Fort Walton Beach, and Panama City. The airport supports over 5700 jobs and generates an estimated annual impact of over $565 million. In the fiscal year ending September 30, 2011, the airport served more than 1.5 million passengers, an 8.46% increase over the previous year.

Pensacola International Airport is owned and operated by the City of Pensacola.