Whitehorse International Airport will indeed be named after the late former Yukon MP, Erik Nielsen.

"It's an appropriate recognition of his contribution," Rolf Hougen, who originally proposed naming the airport after Nielsen shortly after his September death, said in an interview this morning.

The Progressive Conservative MP's long-time friend had suggested the renaming in recognition of Nielsen's 30 years as the Yukon's MP and all the contributions he made to the territory.

Those contributions include the construction in the mid-1980s of the current airport terminal, what Hougen called a "magnificent structure" for its time.

Nielsen has been remembered for infrastructure (including the Dempster Highway and Old Crow post office) that came the territory's way thanks to Nielsen's lobbying in Ottawa.

He's been most remembered for his work that gave aboriginal people the right to vote without having to give up their treaty rights.

"It was his persistence in the House of Commons in 1960 that brought Indian and Inuit people the right to vote," Hougen said in September when he suggested renaming the airport.

During his 1957-87 term as the territory's MP, Nielsen sat both in opposition and in government and was deputy prime minister under former prime minister Brian Mulroney.

Many agree the airport should bear Nielsen's name, Hougen said.

"There was great enthusiasm," he said of his suggestion. "I think it will be very well-received."

Nielsen died at his Kelowna, B.C. home following a massive heart attack.

The official announcement was expected to be made this afternoon in the legislature.

As the Yukon government moves ahead with renaming the airport, the federal government announced Friday safety improvements have been completed at the airport.

"The safety of air travellers and those who work at our airports is a top priority for our government," Transport Minister John Baird said in a statement. "This investment has strengthened safety at the Whitehorse International Airport, contributing to stronger air transportation for all northerners."

The federal Airports Capital Assistance Program has seen $9.9 million come into the territory for improvements to three airports.