Palm Beach International Airport in South Florida officially adopted its new name, President Donald J. Trump International Airport, on July 9, months after the governor signed the name change into law.
“EFFECTIVE TODAY: Palm Beach International Airport’s three-letter location identifier has changed from PBI to DJT following the airport’s official renaming to Donald J. Trump International Airport,” the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement posted to X.
“FAA systems and publications reflect the new identifier. Pilots, air traffic controllers, and aviation stakeholders should use DJT for flight planning and operations,” the agency added.
Hours prior, the airport had also announced the name change on its rebranded X account.
“We are officially in transition mode! We’re working behind the scenes to update our physical signage, terminal spaces, and digital channels to our new name: President Donald J. Trump International Airport,” the airport said, telling travelers to visit the airport’s website to stay up to date with the changes.
The airport is roughly 5 miles from Trump’s primary residence, his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach.
The renaming of the airport was met with some public backlash.
State Rep. Lois Frankel, a Democrat, released a statement the same day the state Senate approved SB 706, condemning the name change.
“It’s misguided and unfair that the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature ignored the voices of Palm Beach County by pushing forward a bill to rename Palm Beach International Airport without giving County residents a real opportunity for input,” Frankel wrote.
“Decisions about naming major infrastructure should wait until after an honoree’s service has concluded—and should include meaningful input from the local residents and communities most directly affected,” she added.
Local citizens also sent dozens of negative comments to the airport via its website shortly after DeSantis approved the name change, with one commenter even sending a bomb threat to airport officials, according to records obtained by NOTUS.
In a statement to The Epoch Times on Thursday, Donald J. Trump International Airport public information services manager Rebeca Krogman acknowledged the backlash.
“The airport recognizes that public reaction to the name change has been mixed and understands this is a significant transition for our community and travelers. Even so, our focus remains on providing a safe, reliable, and welcoming travel experience for everyone,” Krogman said.
“Although the airport’s name has changed, our commitment to our passengers, airline partners, and community remains the same,” she added.
In a frequently asked questions (FAQ) page on its website, the airport said the name change does not affect Palm Beach County’s ownership of the travel hub, but is rather a “branding change only.”
Under an FAQ that asks if any taxpayer money will be used for the branding transition, the airport states that it will be “funded by airport revenues or other airport funding sources,” but that a state funding appropriation “may also be provided to support the transition.”
Another FAQ asks if the name change would result in “additional funding opportunities for improvements to the airport.”
“While higher political visibility may support advocacy efforts for discretionary infrastructure funding and President Trump has publicly expressed support for continued improvements and modernization, the name change itself does not create or guarantee additional funding opportunities,” the airport said.
“While no new funding has been formally announced, the airport remains committed to pursuing all available funding opportunities to support the airport’s long-term growth, safety, and passenger experience.”
In May, Palm Beach County commissioners voted 4–3 to approve a licensing agreement giving the Trump Organization control of the name Donald J. Trump International Airport.
Months prior, the Trump Organization filed to trademark Trump’s name on airports and said it didn’t intend to charge a fee for the use of the president’s name on the Palm Beach International Airport.
“To be clear, the President and his family will not receive any royalty, licensing fee, or financial consideration whatsoever from the proposed airport renaming,” the Trump Organization said in a statement to The Associated Press at the time.
Airports Named After Presidents
President Donald J. Trump International Airport will join 12 others that are currently named after U.S. presidents.
John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York (formerly New York International Airport)
George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston (formerly Houston Municipal Airport, Howard Hughes Municipal Airport, and Houston International Airport)
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington County, Virginia (formerly Washington National Airport)
Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Michigan (formerly Kent County Airport)
Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Sangamon County, Illinois (formerly Capital Airport)
Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock, Arkansas (formerly Little Rock National Airport)
Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport in Wichita, Kansas (formerly Wichita Municipal Airport and the Wichita Mid-Continent Airport)
Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport in Dickinson, North Dakota (formerly Dickinson Municipal Airport)
John F. Kennedy Memorial Airport in Ashland County, Wisconsin
Jimmy Carter Regional Airport in Sumter County, Georgia (formerly Souther Field)
Roosevelt Memorial Airport in Meriwether County, Georgia
Harry S. Truman Regional Airport in Lafayette County, Missouri
