The Palm Beach International Airport in Florida has officially been renamed as the President Donald J. Trump International Airport, marking it as the first airport in the United States to carry the name of a sitting president.
This change took effect at 5:01 a.m. when an air traffic controller announced over the radio, "All aircraft, effective immediately, Palm Beach Airport is now Donald J. Trump International Airport."
The first aircraft to land under the new designation was a private jet carrying Eric Trump and his family in the early morning hours. Shortly thereafter, the presidential Boeing 757 made its inaugural landing at the newly christened facility.
Operating for 89 years and situated approximately five miles from Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, the airport's renaming followed a legislative process initiated in early 2026.
The legislative bill, HB 919, was passed by the Florida House of Representatives on February 18 with 81 in favor and 30 against, and by the state Senate two days later with 25 in favor and 11 against. Governor Ron DeSantis, once a rival of Trump during the 2024 Republican primaries, signed the legislation on March 30.
The total cost of this renaming amounts to $5.5 million, covering updates to signage, technological systems, uniforms, and promotional materials. The airport serves roughly 8.6 million passengers annually.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) code officially changed from PBI to DJT this Thursday. However, passengers will need to continue using PBI when booking flights until August 18, when the new name will be reflected in tickets and airline reservation systems.
Laura Beebe, Director of Airports for Palm Beach County, clarified that "the airlines recently voted to change the IATA code, which is the code appearing on tickets and in reservation systems. The change will go into effect on August 18."
The renaming has not been without controversy. Pilot George W. Poncy Jr. filed a lawsuit against the state, arguing that the HB 919 law oversteps state authority and could pose air safety risks.
Attorney Victoria Doyle filed another legal challenge on July 2, questioning the trademark licensing agreement with Trump's intellectual property management company. A Palm Beach County court denied Poncy's emergency request to halt the law, although the case remains open.
Among travelers, reactions have been mixed. Nibras Jarrar, one of the passengers surveyed, echoed the sentiment of many: "I knew it was coming. To me, it's just a name change. There are many places named after presidents."
This renaming is part of a broader trend since Trump began his second term. At least 12 federal entities now bear his name, including the Kennedy Center, the Institute of Peace, dollar bills, commemorative passports, the annual national park pass, and several Navy warships.
In Florida, DeSantis also signed a law in April renaming a highway as Trump Highway, and in January, a boulevard was inaugurated bearing the president's name. The Trump family will not receive royalties or financial compensation for the use of the name at the airport.
Understanding the Renaming of Palm Beach International Airport
Why was the Palm Beach International Airport renamed?
The airport was renamed to honor Donald J. Trump, making it the first airport in the United States named after a sitting president. This renaming followed a legislative process initiated in 2026.
When will the new airport code DJT be used for bookings?
Passengers will continue to use the PBI code for bookings until August 18, when the new DJT code will be implemented in tickets and airline reservation systems.
What controversies have arisen from the renaming?
The renaming has sparked legal challenges, including a lawsuit from pilot George W. Poncy Jr., who argues the law exceeds state authority and poses safety risks. Another lawsuit questions the trademark licensing agreement.