Belfast City Airport has dropped famous soccer player George Best’s name from its latest branding campaign.
The airport was renamed George Best Belfast City Airport in 2006, following the death of the world-famous footballer from the east of the city. The decision has been criticised due to Best’s well-known struggles with alcoholism, controversial lifestyle choices, and continuance to drink after receiving a liver transplant. He was just 59 when he died on November 25 in 2005.
Belfast City Airport has removed George Best’s name from its latest branding campaign, opting for a new logo featuring ‘Belfast City Airport’ in capital letters on a green and pink background, unlike the previous logo that included George Best’s signature above the name.
While the airport’s name officially remains George Best Belfast City Airport, the branding change has sparked criticism
The airport’s decision to focus on its unique selling points of being fast, local, and reliable in its new campaign is emphasized, with the George Best name not being discarded entirely but revised in the branding strategy.
Belfast City Airport is owned by a fund managed by 3i, and is used by Aer Lingus, British Airways, easyJet, KLM, Loganair, and Lufthansa all flying from its base at Belfast Harbour.
