Palm Beach International Airport officially became President Donald J. Trump International Airport on July 9, 2026, marking a rare instance of a major U.S. airport being renamed to honor a sitting president.
The South Florida facility, which served the region for more than half a century under its former name, transitioned to its new designation earlier today. Trump Force One, the president’s private aircraft, made history as the first plane to land at the renamed airport at 5:01 a.m., according to a statement from Eric Trump posted on Instagram.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the legislation authorizing the name change on March 30, 2026, after the Republican-controlled state House voted 81-30 in support of the measure. The Federal Aviation Administration approved the renaming in May 2026, clearing the final hurdle for the transition.
Beyond the name itself, the airport’s three-letter identifier will also change from PBI to DJT—a change that is expected to take effect on August 18, 2026, according to reporting from CBS News and other outlets. This dual change is unusual, as airport codes are rarely altered after an airport’s initial designation.
The renaming has drawn both celebration and criticism. In a statement shared on social media, Eric Trump wrote: “I am deeply honored that at 5:01 a.m., Trump Force One will be the first plane to land at the newly renamed Palm Beach International Airport—now and forever President Donald J. Trump International Airport (DJT).” He added that the decision reflected Trump’s impact on Florida and the nation.
However, some lawmakers have expressed concern about breaking with tradition. Representative Lois Frankel, a Democrat, argued that the renaming should have reflected community input rather than state-level directives. “The renaming of Palm Beach International Airport should have reflected the will of the community—not political dictates from the state,” she stated on Facebook.
The airport, located approximately five miles from Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in West Palm Beach, received $10 million in federal funding in May 2026 for facility upgrades, including new family-friendly amenities.
Sources
- NPR — reported the official renaming on July 9, 2026
- CNBC — confirmed the airport’s new name and status
- CBS News — detailed the airport code change and passenger implications
- NBC Miami — reported DeSantis signing the legislation on March 30, 2026
- Eric Trump Instagram — documented Trump Force One as the first plane to land and the 5:01 a.m. timestamp
- USA Today — confirmed Trump Force One landing details
- The Hill — provided context on airport naming precedent
- Orlando Sentinel — reported the $10 million federal funding for upgrades
