As the City of Battle Creek’s airport celebrates 95 years of operation this year, its new name is Battle Creek Executive Airport at Kellogg Field.
The City Commission adopted that change this week, as part of a recommendation in the airport’s 2017 strategic business plan to develop a new brand. The commission previously approved the work on that plan, many stakeholders participated in its development, and the commission discussed its contents at a February 2018 workshop.
Neighbors have known the city’s airport by a variety of names over the years – the Battle Creek Airport officially opened in 1925, and other names include Battle Creek-Kellogg Municipal Airport and Kellogg Airfield. Neighbors most recently knew the airport as W.K. Kellogg Airport; Kellogg’s name first was added to the airport’s in 1928, when he donated $60,000 to purchase the land option and pay for airport improvements and equipment.
As part of the new branding plan for the airport, stakeholders considered new names with the help of R.A. Weidemann & Associates Inc., an aviation consultant.
The new name – Battle Creek Executive Airport at Kellogg Field – indicates the primary, business aviation function of the airport, with the word “Executive.” Those involved in the planning also worked to bring the “Battle Creek” geographic location back to the airport’s name, and included “Kellogg Field” to recognize the airport’s heritage.
“The new name represents the perfect culmination of our rich heritage, and our identity as a large, general aviation airport that serves a unique business aviation niche,” said Airport Director Larry Bowron. “The city’s airport plays an important role in the national general aviation sector, and the new name will provide greater exposure, not only to the airport, but to the City of Battle Creek.”
Stay tuned as the airport begins the transition to Battle Creek Executive Airport at Kellogg Field, complete with new logos, signs, an improved online presence, and more.
