Bob Hope Airport Renamed: A Tribute To An Icon

why was bob hope airport renamed

Bob Hope Airport, a public airport in Burbank, Los Angeles County, California, was renamed Hollywood Burbank Airport in 2017. The airport was originally named United Airport, and has since gone through several name changes, including Union Air Terminal, Lockheed Air Terminal, Hollywood-Burbank Airport, Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport, and Bob Hope Airport. The name was changed back to Hollywood Burbank Airport to make the location more recognisable to travellers, as many travellers from the East Coast were reportedly unsure of where Bob Hope Airport was located.

Characteristics Values
Previous name Bob Hope Airport
New name Hollywood Burbank Airport
Reason for name change People didn't know where the airport was located
Year of name change 2017
Airport location Burbank, Los Angeles County, California, US
Airport code BUR
Airport operator Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority
Previous name Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport
Year adopted 2003

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The Bob Hope Airport name did not communicate the airport's location

The Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, Los Angeles, California, was renamed Hollywood Burbank Airport in 2017. The airport was originally named after the late comedian Bob Hope, a longtime resident of nearby Toluca Lake, who had died in 2003.

However, the name change occurred because the Bob Hope Airport name did not communicate the airport's location. Many travellers were unaware of where the airport was located, leading to confusion and a potential loss of business. According to Lucy M. Burghdorf, the airport's director of public affairs and communications, "a lot of people east of the Rockies didn’t know where Bob Hope Airport was. Was it in Palm Springs? Or Vietnam?".

By changing the name to Hollywood Burbank Airport, airport officials aimed to make the airport more recognisable and communicate its location clearly to potential travellers. Glendale City Councilmember Zareh Sinanyan, who sits on the airport authority board, supported this decision, stating, "By telling passengers where we are, we’re telling them all the great things our airport and our community have to offer".

The new name highlights the airport's proximity to Hollywood and Burbank, two well-known locations in Los Angeles. This rebranding strategy aimed to attract more travellers who were interested in visiting Hollywood and the entertainment scene in Burbank, which includes major studio attractions and Dodger Stadium.

While the airport's official name changed to Hollywood Burbank Airport, the complex will legally remain the Bob Hope Airport. A tribute to the legendary performer will still be prominent, including a bronze likeness of comic legend Bob Hope unveiled in 2010.

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The airport's new name is Hollywood Burbank Airport

The airport, located in Burbank, California, was previously named Bob Hope Airport after the legendary entertainer and comedian, who was a longtime resident of nearby Toluca Lake. While the name honoured a beloved figure, it caused some confusion for travellers who were unsure of its geographical location.

Airport officials believed that adopting a more location-specific name would improve the airport's recognition and better convey its proximity to popular destinations, including Hollywood, Griffith Park, and Universal Studios Hollywood. The new name, Hollywood Burbank Airport, directly highlights the areas it serves, making it a more obvious choice for travellers looking to fly into the region.

The decision to change the name was approved by airport officials in May 2017, and the rebranding process began soon after, with signs reflecting the new name expected to be in place by June of that year.

Despite the name change, Bob Hope's legacy will continue to be honoured. The airport's legal name will remain Bob Hope Airport, and a bronze sculpture of his profile, created by artist Don F. Wiegand, will remain on display inside the terminal.

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The airport's legal name will remain Bob Hope Airport

Bob Hope Airport, a public airport in Los Angeles County, California, was renamed Hollywood Burbank Airport in 2017. The airport is located three miles northwest of downtown Burbank and serves Burbank, Hollywood, and the northern Greater Los Angeles area, including Glendale, Pasadena, the San Fernando Valley, and the Santa Clarita Valley.

The airport's original name paid tribute to the legendary entertainer Bob Hope, a longtime resident of nearby Toluca Lake who had kept his personal airplane at the airfield. The name change in 2017 was approved by airport officials to make the airport's location more recognisable to travellers, especially those from the East Coast. According to Lucy M. Burghdorf, the airport's director of public affairs and communications, "a lot of people east of the Rockies didn't know where Bob Hope Airport was. Was it in Palm Springs? Or Vietnam?".

Despite the rebranding, the airport's legal name will remain Bob Hope Airport. This means that, even after the name change, the airport will still officially bear the iconic name of Bob Hope in legal terms and for the Federal Aviation Administration, as stated by spokeswoman Lucy Burghdorf. Additionally, there will still be a prominent tribute to the legendary performer on display at the airport. A bronze bas-relief sculpture dedicated in 2010 by artist Don F. Wiegand showcases Bob Hope's famous profile, ensuring that his memory and legacy continue to be honoured at the airport.

The decision to retain the legal name of Bob Hope Airport acknowledges the significance of honouring the late comedian, who brought joy to countless people through his work. While the airport's rebranding as Hollywood Burbank Airport aims to improve its recognition and accessibility, keeping the legal name of Bob Hope Airport strikes a balance by preserving the connection to the beloved entertainer. This dual approach allows the airport to achieve both its practical goals and its commitment to commemorating Bob Hope.

In conclusion, while the airport's rebranding as Hollywood Burbank Airport addressed geographical clarity concerns, the decision to retain the legal name of Bob Hope Airport demonstrates a dedication to honouring the entertainer's legacy. The airport thus achieves a balance between practical considerations and paying tribute to a significant figure in entertainment history.

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The airport's name change was approved in May 2017

The Burbank airport's name change to Hollywood Burbank Airport was approved in May 2017. The airport was previously named Bob Hope Airport, after the legendary performer and comedian, Bob Hope. The name change was proposed to make the airport's location more recognisable to travellers, especially those from the East Coast.

According to Lucy M. Burghdorf, the airport's director of public affairs and communications, many travellers east of the Rockies were unsure of the airport's location. She stated, "A lot of people east of the Rockies didn’t know where Bob Hope Airport was. Was it in Palm Springs? Or Vietnam?". Glendale City Councilmember Zareh Sinanyan, who sits on the airport authority board, supported this idea, saying, "By telling passengers where we are, we’re telling them all the great things our airport and our community have to offer.".

The airport's new name, Hollywood Burbank Airport, was chosen to emphasise its proximity to Hollywood and Burbank. This name is not entirely new, as the airport was previously called Hollywood-Burbank Airport from 1967 to 1978. Despite the name change, the airport will still legally be known as Bob Hope Airport, and a prominent tribute to the entertainer will remain on display. A bronze bas-relief sculpture of his profile, created by artist Don F. Wiegand, was dedicated in 2010 and will continue to honour Bob Hope's legacy at the airport.

The name change to Hollywood Burbank Airport was expected to be implemented as early as June 2017, with signs reflecting the new name. The airport's website also began using the new name in the summer of 2017. This rebranding aimed to improve the airport's recognition and attract more travellers to the facility, which serves Burbank, Hollywood, and the northern Greater Los Angeles area.

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The airport was renamed to honour Bob Hope in 2003

The airport, located in Burbank, California, serves Burbank, Hollywood, and the northern Greater Los Angeles area, including Glendale, Pasadena, the San Fernando Valley, and the Santa Clarita Valley. It is the only airport in the area with a direct rail connection to Downtown Los Angeles.

The decision to rename the airport was met with some opposition, as some believed that the new name did not clearly convey the airport's location. However, others felt that the name of Bob Hope, a well-known figure in Hollywood's Golden Age, added a sense of glamour and tribute to the airport.

Despite the name change to Hollywood Burbank Airport in 2017, the airport has retained the name Bob Hope Airport for legal purposes. A bronze sculpture of Bob Hope's profile by artist Don F. Wiegand was also dedicated at the airport in 2010, ensuring that the iconic name and memory of Bob Hope continue to be associated with the airport.

The name change to Hollywood Burbank Airport was intended to make the airport more recognisable and appealing to travellers, especially those from the East Coast, who might not have been familiar with the previous name. Airport officials believed that by including Hollywood and Burbank in the name, travellers would better understand the airport's location and the attractions nearby.

Frequently asked questions

The airport was renamed Hollywood Burbank Airport to make it more catchy and recognisable to people who didn't know where Bob Hope Airport was located.

The airport was named after comedian and showman Bob Hope, who was a longtime resident of nearby Toluca Lake and kept his personal airplane at the airfield.

The airport was officially renamed in 2017, with signs reflecting the name change in place as early as June of that year.

The airport was previously called Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport, named after the authority that runs it.

The airport's legal name remains Bob Hope Airport, and there is still a prominent tribute to the legendary performer on display.

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