Board votes to rename Memphis International Airport after FedEx founder Fred Smith
- The Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority Board of Commissioners has initiated the process of renaming Memphis International Airport after FedEx founder Fred Smith.
- The resolution to rename the airport received unanimous approval and has support from state officials.
- The renaming process will involve FAA approval and other logistical steps.
Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that Capt. Albert Glenn serves as vice chair of the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority Board of Commissioners and Jack Sammons is a board commissioner.
The process is officially underway to rename Memphis International Airport after FedEx founder Fred Smith.
At the start of its June 26 monthly meeting, the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to begin the process of renaming Memphis International Airport after Smith, who died June 21 at 80.
Board Chairman Michael Keeney said he has brought up renaming the airport after Smith to state officials and has their support.
“I will say that I’ve had the opportunity to discuss (renaming the airport) with our governor (Bill Lee), legislative leaders and members of all of the Congressional delegation, and they all are very supportive of this action,” Keeney said.
In a statement sent to The Commercial Appeal on June 27, FedEx said the company wholeheartedly endorses renaming the airport after Smith.
“We fully support the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority’s resolution seeking to rename the Memphis International Airport in honor of our founder Frederick W. Smith,” FedEx said. “It would be a fitting tribute to the man who launched a company that revolutionized the airport, the city of Memphis, and the way the world works. We support the advancement of this resolution for full approval and look forward to operating out of a location that bears his name.”
Board Commissioner Jack Sammons said he spent some time on June 21 with Smith before he died, saying they “both had enjoyed unfiltered conversations.”
During the June 26 meeting, Sammons talked about his attempt to push for the airport to be renamed after Smith 30 years ago. However, Smith didn’t support the idea at that time and told Sammons that naming buildings was for dead people. Sammons later read a roughly 5-minute resolution on the Airport Authority looking to honor Smith by renaming Memphis International after him.
The resolution by Sammons included the following.
“Now, therefore, be it resolved, by the Board of Commissioners of the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority, that the name of the Memphis International Airport will be changed to honor the late Mr. Frederick W. Smith and directs the president and CEO to immediately begin the process to effectuate the change in consultation with Mr. Smith’s family, create a timeline and implementation plan for all necessary approvals and determine the estimated costs associated with the renaming of the airport in honor of the aforementioned Smith.”
Capt. Albert Glenn serves as vice chair on the Airport Authority Board. Glenn, a retired FedEx pilot whose career at the Memphis-based logistics giant spanned more than 40 years, talked about the value of what Smith did to make a difference in Memphis and throughout the country.
“The sacrifice that he gave, and how all that not only made it better for me, but it made it better for my family,” Glenn said. “It made it better for our community, made it better for our city and it made it better for the world. I’ve traveled all over. I can tell you the number of people that have walked up and talked about what Mr. Smith has done and how it has benefited them. This is an opportunity for us to continue to show that legacy of what he brought to the city and what he brought to all of us by naming the airport after him.”
The renaming of the airport would be a process requiring FAA approval and additional steps.
“We are honored to be tasked with this well-deserved recognition for him,” Airport Authority President and CEO Terry Blue said in a news release. “There are many regulatory, logistical and operational steps involved in renaming an airport, but our staff will immediately begin the process. More details will be announced as they become available.”