Half of inhabitants of the regions participating in the Great Names of Russia project would like their local airport to be named after a famous Russian.
MOSCOW, October 25, 2018. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data of a study describing the attitudes of Russians towards an initiative to name Russian airports after Russia’s famous figures.
In early October, the Public Chamber proposed to name 45 Russian airports after famous Russians.
The initiative is approved by 53% of Russians living in million-plus cities, 50% residents of large cities and 48% of rural area inhabitants. Most of those who favor the idea are people living in Moscow and St Petersburg (44%).
In addition, 51% of respondents would like their local airport to be named after a famous Russian (they are mainly those living in million-plus cities and cities with a population over 500,000-950,000; 55% and 57%, respectively). Every second among them (52%) considers that it is better to choose the name of a famous local person. At the same time, 39% say that it is not necessary; any famous Russian figure suits (61% of residents of Moscow and St Petersburg).
Most of Russians favor the names of the military people (34%) and scientists (33%). A further 24% (43% among those aged 18-24) believe that airports should be named after famous personalities in the world of culture and arts. According to 17% of respondents, it is better to choose the names of famous people from social sphere; the names of famous workers appear to be more appealing to 11% of Russians.
The VCIOM survey was conducted on October 21, 2018, in 37 Russian regions participating in the project Great Names of Russia and involved 968 Russians aged 18 and over. The survey was telephone-based and was carried out using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 3.2%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
Generally speaking, do you approve/disapprove of this initiative? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |||||||
| Total respondents | Moscow and St.Petersburg | Million cities | More than 500 ths | 100–500 ths | Less than 100 ths | Rural area |
Approve | 47 | 44 | 53 | 50 | 50 | 42 | 48 |
Disapprove | 29 | 35 | 27 | 30 | 27 | 29 | 24 |
Indifferent | 22 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 24 | 27 |
Don’t know | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
Would you like your local airport to get a name of a famous Russian, apart from its official name? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |||||||
| Total respondents | Moscow and St.Petersburg | Million cities | More than 500 ths | 100–500 ths | Less than 100 ths | Rural area |
Rather yes | 51 | 44 | 55 | 57 | 52 | 36 | 48 |
Rather not | 36 | 46 | 36 | 32 | 32 | 28 | 25 |
Local airports in my region are already named after famous people | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
Don’t know | 11 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
What Russian famous figure’s name would you choose to name the airport in your region? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of those who would like their local airport to be named after a famous Russian) | |||||||
| % of those who would like their local airport to be named after a famous Russian | Moscow and St.Petersburg | Million cities | More than 500 ths | 100–500 ths | Less than 100 ths | Rural area |
Someone who is famous in my region | 52 | 31 | 65 | 43 | 63 | 52 | 56 |
Any famous figure known all across Russia | 39 | 61 | 30 | 46 | 28 | 39 | 34 |
Don’t know | 9 | 8 | 6 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
In your opinion, what famous figures would you name the airports for? (closed-ended question, one answer, up to 3 answers, % of total respondents) |
| ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | Aged 25-34 | Aged 35-44 | Aged 45-59 | Aged 60 and more | |
Military servicemen | 34 | 35 | 41 | 28 | 32 | 32 | |
Scientists | 33 | 34 | 40 | 37 | 26 | 32 | |
People of culture and art (writers, musicians, painters, etc.) | 24 | 43 | 33 | 18 | 20 | 21 | |
Social sphere workers (doctors, teachers) | 17 | 32 | 32 | 17 | 9 | 10 | |
Famous workers | 11 | 12 | 14 | 17 | 8 | 6 | |
Public figures | 8 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 5 | |
Political figures | 7 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 10 | |
Any famous person | 6 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 6 | |
Famous people in aviation | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 4 | |
I oppose this initiative | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 5 | |
Other | 4 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | |
Don’t know | 15 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 17 | 16 | |
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!