Palm Beach International Airport officially became President Donald J. Trump International Airport on Thursday, making it the first commercial airport in the United States to bear the name of a sitting president.
The name change took effect following approval from the Federal Aviation Administration and months of legislative action in Florida. Governor Ron DeSantis signed the legislation into law on March 30, 2026, after the state legislature passed the bill along party lines in February. The airport, located in West Palm Beach and situated just miles from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, has served the South Florida region for over half a century under its previous name.
Trump Force One, a Boeing 757 owned by the Trump Organization, landed at the newly renamed airport at 5:01 a.m., with Eric Trump, the president’s son and executive vice president of the Trump Organization, onboard. Eric Trump posted on X that there is “no person who has done more for Florida and our country, and no one more deserving of this incredible honor,” adding that he would be “proud to see the initials ‘DJT’ on my boarding pass.”
The renaming represents a significant shift from historical precedent. Traditionally, airports named after presidents have been designated either after they left office or following national tragedy, with decisions made by local communities and authorities rather than mandated by state law. Trump is the first president to have a major commercial airport named after him while still in office. The Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock, Arkansas, the only other airport currently named for a living president, was not renamed until 2012, long after Bill Clinton had left office.
The transition to the new name follows a complex process involving trademark considerations. The Trump Organization filed for a trademark on “President Donald J. Trump International Airport” as a designation for use at any airport. This prompted Florida law to require a licensing and licensing agreement between the state and Trump to ensure the county could legally use the name. Palm Beach County commissioners narrowly approved this agreement in May 2026 on a 4-3 vote, following public hearings where residents spoke both in favor of and against the change.
Under the licensing agreement, Trump is prohibited from receiving royalties, licensing fees, or revenue from purchases of merchandise at the airport. However, the airport can use Trump’s name, image, and likeness for advertising purposes. Legal experts have noted potential loopholes, including the possibility that Trump could license the airport name trademarks to third parties since the license is non-exclusive.
The airport serves more than 8 million passengers annually on over a dozen airlines, including Delta, United, American Airlines, JetBlue, and Southwest. The renaming does not affect airport ownership or governance—Palm Beach County will continue to oversee all operations, finances, and strategic decisions. Airline schedules, routes, and day-to-day services are expected to continue without interruption.
However, the transition has sparked significant opposition. U.S. Representative Lois Frankel, a Democrat whose district includes Palm Beach, called the move a “clear overreach by the state Legislature that forced through this change without meaningful input from the people who actually live here, work here and rely on Palm Beach International Airport every day.” Two lawsuits have been filed seeking to block the renaming, with one plaintiff arguing the change could create safety concerns for pilots and air traffic controllers through potential confusion in aviation systems.
The rebranding carries an estimated cost of $5.5 million to replace terminal signs, roadway markers, digital displays, and other public-facing materials. The state budget allocates $2.75 million for the transition, with airport officials indicating they will pursue additional funding through state appropriations and other sources. Local property taxes will not fund the costs.
The transition will occur in phases. While the official name changed on July 9, most passenger-facing systems will continue using the three-letter airport code “PBI” until August 18, 2026, when the International Air Transport Association is scheduled to implement the change to “DJT.” The Federal Aviation Administration’s locational identifier and the International Civil Aviation Organization identifier already changed to DJT on July 9 for use by pilots and air traffic controllers.
The name change represents one of several recent efforts to attach Trump’s name to public landmarks. The same day the airport officially renamed, officials in Tennessee held a ceremony to rename the I-40 Bridge in East Tennessee the Donald J. Trump Bridge. Earlier efforts by House Republicans to rename Washington Dulles International Airport after Trump appear to have stalled, while other initiatives including Trump-branded federal programs and commemorative coins have moved forward under the current administration.
A stretch of road connecting the airport to Mar-a-Lago was renamed Donald J. Trump Boulevard earlier in 2026. Airport officials have emphasized that the renaming does not alter the facility’s core mission or services. According to the airport’s FAQ, the transition including updates to signage and branding “will occur in phases” to ensure adequate funding and minimize disruption to travelers and airport operations.