THERE'S nothing worse than the way some wee airports ram the word "international" in their title as soon as the first charter flight to Malaga starts chugging down the runway. It's even worse when you discover that the "international" destination being used to stake the claim is somewhere like Cardiff or Norwich.
Civic leaders the world over seem to believe the word "international" confers all sorts of magical powers when it comes to their airport – as if having a random display of assorted flags is going to make people think the catering prices inside are so
mehow justified.
The truth is that nothing diminishes your status more than being seen trying to grasp higher status. Apart from anything else, it just sounds twee. Norwich International is never going to overcome the fact that it's the airport for Norwich, while Leeds Bradford International could call itself the Crown Prince of International Airports without affecting its intrinsic allure. The point is that there is nothing wrong with simply being who you are. None of us would become more interesting people just by inserting the middle name Xavier – not even the women.
That said, there is something that can be done with airports that sets them apart from all others: naming them after someone famous. This isn't something that has popped up much in the UK – the only ones that spring to mind are John Lennon in Liverpool and Robin Hood in, er, somewhere in mid-England.
That latter point reveals a problem with the naming approach. While most people would guess accurately that John Lennon is in Liverpool, Robin Hood actually serves Doncaster Sheffield – when we all know it should serve Nottingham. Whoever you are naming the airport after needs to have an immediate, recognisable connection to the location.
It should also be a nice person – otherwise Edinburgh could well be in line to have Jekyll and Hyde Airport as its doorstep to the world. If not a nice person, then it should be someone you feel proud to be associated with.
This explains why one enters Mongolia through Chinnghis Khaan International. Apart from anything else Chinggis, or Genghis, did do a lot for international travel in the 13th century.
The thing about naming an airport after someone is that there is generally only one for each city; it's a singular honour. New York gets away with three but that's New York. There can be umpteen Drives, Roads or Gardens named after every councillor who ever stuffed a ballot box, but there can be only one airport.
Naming it after someone who represents the very best of the city; someone with a worldwide reputation and appeal; someone who can make all the city's inhabitants stand that little bit taller – and that is certainly something we Scots do need internationally – is a good thing indeed.
That is why we should be thinking about Sean Connery International Airport for Edinburgh. Now I admit there is a bit of penny-saving going on here. Sir Sean (I don't think we need the Sir in the airport title – you have to pay by the letter) will be back in Edinburgh for the Book Festival, therefore this is the ideal time to be getting the stencils out and revamping the inside with all sorts of thematic 007 bars and celebratory milkfloats.
The delicate issue of Sean still being up and about should also contribute to a Yes decision now. What is the point of waiting? And for goodness sake let's get it done before someone suggests Harry Potter.
Euros coverage a joyIt was a joy to watch the European Football Championships. Why? It didn't really hurt that Scotland wasn't there. More importantly, it was fantastic to get hour after hour of television coverage that focused on the football being played and not on the exploits of England players and/or their pathetic wives and girlfriends. Not that the commentators didn't force Little England in, with their comparisons to Wembley this and that, and continual references to who played for which Premier League team.
But in the main it was a wonderful opportunity to enjoy terrific football without the worthless distractions that an England presence now seems to demand from the BBC and ITV. Much as I like Fabio Capello, if the price of sane, measured, balanced television coverage is continued absence of England from major finals, then long may it continue.
Personality checkIt says all that needs to be said about Labour's plight that the SNP would have preferred Wendy Alexander to continue in office.
None of the so-called "leading" candidates to replace her will be striking fear into Holyrood soon. Personality matters far more nowadays than before, for better or for worse. Labour needs someone with character – not another safe pair of bland hands.
