Portugal to Name Airport for Soccer Star Cristiano Ronaldo

Portugal´s Madeira International Airport has become known as one of the world´s most dangerous airports as it rests on a narrow bank between the Atlantic Ocean and Portugal´s steep coastal mountains. Located in Funchal, the capital of the autonomous region of Madeira, the airport is attempting to improve its reputation with a name change from Santa Catarina Airport to a more recognizable moniker.

The new name of the airport will honor Portugal´s pride and joy, international soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo. After a meeting among local government officials during the summer, the president of the Regional Government of Madeira, Miguel Albuquerque, announced the airport´s new name. Shortly thereafter, Google already adopted the change: When users search for the airport using its former name, the new name will appear in search results.

After Portugal´s victory at the UEFA European Championship this summer, Fuchal´s government felt there was no better time to christen the struggling airport with Cristiano´s name. A number of other Portuguese institutions have been named after Ronaldo as well, including a museum, a hotel and a statue. One such hotel, the Pestana CR7, recently opened in Funchal with plans to open other properties in Lisbon, Madrid and New York.