Despite a viral campaign that gathered tens of thousands of signatures, Birmingham Airport will not be renamed “Ozzy Osbourne International.” Airport CEO Nick Barton confirmed that while a permanent tribute to the late singer is planned, the name itself will remain unchanged.
The push to honor Osbourne, who passed away in July 2025, gained momentum with a petition started by fan Dan Hudson. It attracted nearly 77,000 signatures, arguing that Osbourne was one of Birmingham’s most iconic cultural exports.
However, speaking to BBC Radio WM, Barton ruled out the renaming, emphasizing the importance of the airport’s identity for future growth.
“Birmingham, amazingly, has an extraordinary list of fantastically influential people, going from historic people like Charles Darwin, as well as Robert Plant and Sir Lenny Henry but the answer is no,” Barton said. “The airport name is so important for our future development of what we’ve got, which is a fantastic airport, but yet to grow significantly, which we will do on the back of its name.”
While the airport’s name won’t change, Barton confirmed plans for an artistic homage inside the terminal. A mural celebrating Osbourne, along with other local icons, is set to be unveiled, offering a lasting tribute for fans.
The decision will likely disappoint campaigners and the Osbourne family. Kelly Osbourne had supported the petition, calling a renaming “an incredible tribute to him and the legacy he left behind,” adding, “This city made him, and he made this city.”
Petition organizer Dan Hudson had also highlighted Birmingham’s musical heritage, drawing comparisons to other UK airports named after cultural figures, including Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport and Belfast’s George Best City Airport.
“Heavy metal was invented in this area by a man named Ozzy Osbourne in the late 1960s, instantly resonating around the world and having a global impact on generations upon generations of music fans,” Hudson told councilors. “There have been other petitions to honor Mr. Osbourne but this is by far and away the most realistic and popular.”
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