Why Sydney Airport Is Named Kingsford Smith

Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) honors Sir Charles Kingsford Smith (1897–1935), Australia's most famous pioneer aviator. Born in Brisbane, he served in WWI, then set records:

• 1928: First trans-Pacific flight (USA to Australia) in the Southern Cross.
• 1929: First non-stop Australia–England flight.
• 1930: First east–west Atlantic crossing.

He died in a 1935 crash over the Andaman Sea. In 1936, the Australian government renamed Mascot Aerodrome (opened 1920) after him. Today, it's Australia's busiest airport, 8 km south of Sydney CBD.