Bill To Rename T.F. Green Airport Heads to McKee's Desk

PROVIDENCE, RI — The General Assembly has passed legislation introduced by Majority Leader Michael J. McCaffrey (D-Dist. 29, Warwick) and House Speaker Pro Tempore Brian Patrick Kennedy (D-Dist. 38, Hopkinton, Westerly) that would rename the state airport “Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport.”

Airport executives had promoted the name change as a way to boost awareness of Rhode Island’s main airport to travelers and to reflect the changing complexion of the airport while continuing to honor the memory of Theodore Francis Green, proponents said in a news release. Green was the 57th governor of Rhode Island and a member of the U.S. Senate from 1937 to 1959.

“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 McCaffrey. “More passengers means more dollars spent at Warwick and Rhode Island businesses.”

Live in Warwick? Click here to subscribe to our breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. You can also download our Patch mobile app on Android or iPhone.

“The name change will assist in marketing the state of Rhode Island to both leisure and business travelers," said Kennedy. "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.”

The airport was established in 1931 as Hillsgrove State Airport. In 1938, it was named after T.F. Green.

The facility is now one of the fastest growing airports in the U.S. Its airlines include Air Canada, Allegiant Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Southern Airways Express, Sun Country and United Airlines. Breeze Airways, a startup, announced last week that it would begin flights from the airport in June and July.

The measure now moves to the governor’s office.