WEST PALM BEACH— Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) has officially been renamed President Donald J. Trump International Airport (DJT), marking one of the most significant airport branding changes in recent U.S. aviation history.
The change took effect on July 9 following approvals from Florida lawmakers, state officials, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), while airport operations continue without interruption.
The airport, which serves South Florida and the Palm Beach region, has begun replacing signage and updating operational systems to reflect its new identity.
Airlines are expected to transition passenger-facing systems to the new DJT identifier as the implementation progresses, while pilots and air traffic controllers have already begun using updated FAA identifiers.
Airport Renamed Following Legislation
The renaming follows legislation introduced in late 2025 by Florida State Representative Meg Weinberger. The proposal received approval in the Florida Legislature earlier this year before being signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis in March 2026.
The legislation transferred naming authority for major commercial airports to the State of Florida and formally redesignated Palm Beach International Airport as President Donald J. Trump International Airport.
State funding was allocated to support new signage, branding, and related infrastructure updates required for the transition.
During overnight work between July 8 and July 9, crews installed new airport signs while the FAA updated aeronautical publications and notified air traffic facilities of the change, OMAAT reported.
The airport’s ICAO identifier also transitioned to KDJT, while passenger reservation systems are scheduled to complete the IATA code transition from PBI to DJT later in the implementation process.
Trademark Agreement Behind Renaming
Unlike most U.S. presidential airport dedications, the new airport name required a trademark licensing agreement because the Trump name is protected by companies associated with President Donald Trump.
Palm Beach County negotiated a non-exclusive agreement allowing continued use of the airport’s official name while preventing trademark disputes. Under the arrangement, Trump’s companies will not receive royalties from merchandise sold inside the airport.
However, the agreement permits the companies to market airport-branded merchandise outside the airport and designate approved suppliers for airport retailers.
It also grants approval rights over the use of President Trump’s biography, image, and promotional materials displayed at the airport.
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Aviation Impact on Operations
Airport officials emphasized that the renaming does not affect airport ownership, governance, flight operations, or passenger services. Palm Beach County will continue managing the airport while maintaining existing safety, operational, and commercial standards.
The change places the airport among more than ten U.S. commercial airports named after former presidents, joining facilities honoring John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Gerald Ford, and Bill Clinton.
For airlines and aviation stakeholders, the primary operational changes involve updating airport databases, navigation references, reservation systems, baggage handling platforms, and airport signage.
Passengers are expected to experience a gradual transition as airlines complete updates across booking systems and travel information displays.
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