Louisville airport to be named after hometown hero Muhammad Ali

Louisville city renames its airport after hometown great Muhammad Ali. Louisville International Airport will now be known as Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport.

A working group studied renaming for more than a year and its recommended got votes in favour on Wednesday.  Heavyweight champion boxer Ali considered himself ‘The Greatest of All Time,’ and was among the most famous and beloved athletes on the planet. Ali was known not only for his athletic prowess but also for his social activism. He died in 2016 with Parkinson’s disease.

Louisville Tourism believes that the city will reap economic benefits by boosting Ali-related tourism, just as it did by establishing Bourbonism as a global tourist experience.

Expressing her support, Muhammad Ali’s widow, Lonnie Ali, said: “I am happy that visitors from far and wide who travel to Louisville will have another touch-point to Muhammad and be reminded of his open and inclusive nature, which is reflective of our city.”

Though the airport’s name will change, the airport’s three-letter International Air Transport Association Location Identifier, SDF, will not.

Jim Welch, chairman of the Airport Authority Board feels proud to associate the airport with the ‘The Greatest’ Muhammad Ali.

He was known to ‘float like a butterfly, sting like a bee’. The passengers to and fro Louisville airport will fly like a butterfly.

Muhammad has left a legacy of humanitarianism and athleticism that has inspired billions of people and will champion The Champ’s legacy.

Tags: airport, Louisville International Airport, Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, muhammad ali