"Renaming Birmingham Airport Proposal": Initiative initiated for Birmingham Airport to bear Ozzy Osbourne's name
News Article: Petition to Rename Birmingham Airport After Ozzy Osbourne Gains Momentum
Following the passing of legendary rock icon Ozzy Osbourne on July 22, 2025, a petition has been launched to rename Birmingham International Airport after the heavy metal pioneer. The petition, initiated by Dan Hudson, co-host of the podcast A Gay And A Nongay, aims to honour Osbourne's legacy and his roots in Birmingham.
The proposed name for the airport is "Ozzy Osbourne International Airport," a tribute to Osbourne's groundbreaking role as the lead vocalist of Black Sabbath and his significant cultural impact. The idea draws parallels to other UK airports named after famous local figures, such as John Lennon Airport in Liverpool and George Best International Airport in Belfast.
The petition has garnered widespread support, with over 2,500 signatures as of this writing. One user wrote, "Naming the airport after Ozzy would be the biggest and best nod to him possible," while another expressed gratitude for everything Osbourne had done and said he would be loved and missed by the world. Supporters of the petition have also posted tributes to Osbourne in the comments section.
Ozzy Osbourne, who grew up in the Aston area of Birmingham, co-founded the heavy metal band Black Sabbath in the city. The all-day extravaganza, titled "Back To The Beginning," took place at Villa Park in Aston on July 5, just over two weeks before Osbourne's death. The concert, which featured a who's-who of hard rock and heavy metal artists, is estimated to have raised over $190 million, making it the highest-grossing charity gig of all time.
A concert film featuring the best bits from the show, entitled Back To The Beginning: Ozzy's Final Bow, is set to come out in cinemas next year. Tony Iommi, a fellow Black Sabbath co-founder, called Osbourne's passing a "shock" in an ITV News interview on Wednesday (July 23). He also revealed that he received a text message from Osbourne the day before he died.
Representatives for Birmingham International Airport are yet to comment on the petition to rename the airport after Ozzy Osbourne. It remains to be seen whether the petition will lead to a change in the airport's name, but one thing is certain: Ozzy Osbourne's impact on music and popular culture will continue to be felt for years to come.
- Dan Hudson, co-host of the A Gay And A Nongay podcast, initiated a petition to rename Birmingham Airport as 'Ozzy Osbourne International Airport', honoring the legendary rock icon's heavy metal legacy and Birmingham roots.
- The proposal draws comparisons to John Lennon Airport in Liverpool and George Best International Airport in Belfast, highlighting other UK airports named after famous local figures.
- The petition has gained significant traction, with over 2,500 signatures and supporters posting heartfelt tributes to the rock icon.
- Ozzy Osbourne, born in the Aston area of Birmingham, co-founded the heavy metal band Black Sabbath in the city, and his final concert, 'Back To The Beginning', took place at Villa Park in Aston, two weeks before his passing.
- The concert featured various hard rock and heavy metal artists and is estimated to have raised an unprecedented $190 million, making it the highest-grossing charity gig of all time.
- A concert film, titled Back To The Beginning: Ozzy's Final Bow, capturing the best moments from the show, is slated for release in cinemas next year.
- Tony Iommi, a fellow Black Sabbath co-founder, expressed his shock over Ozzy Osbourne's passing in an ITV News interview, revealing he received a text message from the late rock star the day before he died.
- Representatives from Birmingham International Airport have not yet commented on the petition to rename the airport after Ozzy Osbourne, leaving the change in the airport's name uncertain, but the rock icon's influence on music, hard rock, metal, and pop-culture remains indelible.
