T.F. Green Airport Name Change Gets Green Light

WARWICK, RI — A name change for Rhode Island's only major airport is headed to Gov. Dan McKee's desk. The Rhode Island House and Senate approved a bill to rename the airport to "Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport."

Proponents for the change have argued for years that "T.F. Green Airport" is not recognizable enough to out-of-state travelers as being in Rhode Island.

"The airport is an economic engine for Warwick and Rhode Island and this opportunity to raise the airport’s brand awareness could attract even more domestic and international travelers to the Ocean State," said Senate Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey, the Senate sponsor of the bill. "More passengers means more dollars spent at Warwick and Rhode Island businesses."

Airport executives have also been behind the push, saying it makes clear that the airport is both a national and international hub, while still honoring the memory of T.F. Green.

The Airport was established in 1931, then known as "Hillsgrove State Airport." In 1938, it was renamed to honor Theodore Francis Green, Rhode Island governor and U.S. Senator.

"The goal of the legislation is to promote better consumer awareness of the airport’s location, along with increasing the level of passenger travel from the facility," said Representative Brian Patrick Kennedy, the House sponsor of the bill. "The name change will assist in marketing the state of Rhode Island to both leisure and business travelers. Currently, it’s one of only 32 airports in the country that do not have a city, state or region in the name. It’s important that we do what we can to encourage our tourism economy and bring the airport back to its pre-COVID-19 success."

Related: New Airline To Offer Service To T.F. Green Starting July 29