Washington National Airport looks set to be renamed after the former United States president, Ronald Reagan.

The Republican-controlled Senate approved the idea by 76 votes to 22.

During the debate, the majority leader in the House of Representatives, Richard Armey, said it would be hard to find a more loved person in America than Ronald Reagan.

But the move was opposed by the airport operating authority and many local officials who complained they were not consulted.

Among the most vocal opponents have been air-traffic controllers.

Mr Reagan sacked 11,000 of their colleagues during a strike in 1981.

Schwitz: Opposed to the change

National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) official Randy Schwitz said: "I'd rather have a hot poker in my eye than have an airport named after him."

President Clinton is now expected to sign the bill.

Mr Reagan's wife Nancy issued a statement after the decision saying: "Ronnie and I are honoured.

"We are grateful to... members of congress of both parties for their efforts in delivering this wonderful gift in time for my husband's 87th birthday."

The airport, located in Virginia across the Potomac River from Washington, opened in 1941. It is owned by the federal government and operated by a metropolitan Washington airport authority.

Opponents of the name change argued it constituted an unwarranted intrusion into local affairs that even Mr Reagan, a fierce defender of local rights, might oppose.

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