SYDNEY, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Australia's largest ever aviation project, the Western Sydney Aerotropolis, will be named after the nation's first female pilot to recognize her unique contributions to the country, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Monday.
"Nancy-Bird Walton is an Australian legend, a pioneer whose determination to take to the sky is an inspiration for generations who have followed," he said.
"Nancy-Bird was the first female pilot in Australia, and the Commonwealth, to be licenced to carry passengers and began her career flying nurses to the outback to provide medical services for children and their mothers."
Born in 1915, Walton was granted a class A flying license when she was just 17 and during World War II.
Known as "the First Lady of Aviation," she played a pivotal role in training other female pilots. When the war was over, Walton then founded the Australian Women Pilots' Association.
She died in 2009 and was honored with a State Funeral.
"Nancy was a trailblazer not just for women, but for anyone who thought about the future and who had a vision for helping others," New South Wales State Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.
With the construction kicking off at the end of last year, the 5.3 billion Australian dollars (3.7 billion U.S. dollars) airport project is expected to be completed in 2026.
"Western Sydney Airport is a truly visionary project that will transform our city, recognizing the economic powerhouse that is Western Sydney, creating 28,000 jobs within five years of opening, while delivering new tourism and trade opportunities in Sydney and Australia," Morrison said.
