The airport is named after Franz Josef Strauß , who played a prominent, albeit sometimes controversial role in politics of the Federal Republic of Germany from the 1950s until his death in 1988. Among other positions, Strauß was a long-time Minister-President (Governor) of the state of Bavaria , where the airport is located and was initiated under his government. Strauß, having been a private pilot himself, had a particular interest in the aviation industry. He is regarded one of the fathers of Airbus and served as initial chairman of its supervisory board. [ 6 ] Naming the airport by its full name "Flughafen München Franz Josef Strauß" is fairly uncommon. The company that owns and operates the airport is named "Flughafen München GmbH " and brands itself as "M – Flughafen München" respectively "M – Munich Airport". In the Munich area, most people use the term "Flughafen München" (Munich Airport), sometimes "Flughafen München II" in order to distinguish from the earlier airport or simply "MUC" for its IATA-code.