Sydney Airport has officially named a new bridge linking to the Northern Airport Precinct after Nigel Love, one of Australia’s greatest aviation pioneers.

The airport hosted a special event on Tuesday, 2 August to mark the occasion and unveil a commemorative plaque.

“The Nigel Love Bridge publicly acknowledges the founder of Sydney Airport, who carved out many milestones for Australian aviation,” Sydney Airport Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Kerrie Mather said.

“Nearly 100 years ago, Nigel Love transformed a bullock paddock into Sydney Airport, which is now one of the world’s oldest continually operating airports and Australia’s international gateway.

“Mr Love also established Australia’s first aircraft manufacturing company and piloted the airport’s first commercial flight from Sydney to Melbourne.

“Growing from a single passenger in November 1919, Sydney Airport now welcomes more than 40 million passengers a year, contributes more than $30 billion to the economy and generates 29,000 jobs across 800 businesses at the airport.

“Nigel Love was a great visionary and we’re proud to continue to deliver on his vision of fostering the ongoing growth of aviation to benefit Sydney, NSW and Australia.”

One of Nigel Love’s sons, John Love, attended the ceremony honouring his father.

“Naming the bridge after our father, grandfather and great grandfather is very significant for our family,” Mr Love said.

“The Nigel Love Bridge recognises him as the founder of the airport, symbolises his vision from some 100 years ago and is a reminder of the contribution he made to aviation.”

ABOUT NIGEL LOVE

Following distinguished military service as an officer with the Australian Flying Corps during World War I, Nigel Love joined aeronautical engineer Harry E. Broadsmith and entered into a contract with A.V. Roe & Co. Ltd. to manufacture and sell its aircraft in Australia. Part of the contract obliged him to establish a new aerodrome in Sydney.

After returning to Australia in 1919, Nigel Love began searching for suitable land as close as possible to the city of Sydney on which he could establish the new aerodrome. He settled on a large flat area of land in Mascot bounded by the Cooks River, Botany Bay and the Ascot Racecourse, then used as a bullock paddock.

The paddock Nigel Love chose in 1919 became today’s Sydney Airport, Australia’s premier airport and international gateway.