DeSantis Signs Bill to Rename Palm Beach Airport for Trump

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation on Monday renaming Palm Beach International Airport as the President Donald J. Trump International Airport, honoring the former president who maintains a residence nearby. The change, which requires approval from the Federal Aviation Administration, would take effect on July 1.

The bill, known as House Bill 919, passed the Florida House by a vote of 81-30 and the Senate 25-11 in February. It grants the state authority over naming major commercial service airports, including those in Orlando, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Jacksonville and Southwest Florida, while prohibiting local governments from altering such names. Palm Beach International Airport, located about four miles from Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in West Palm Beach, serves as a primary entry point for the former president during his visits to the state.

Once approved, the airport's identifier would shift from PBI to DJT, and federal agencies would update records, maps and navigation systems accordingly. The Federal Aviation Administration oversees such changes and would coordinate with international aviation bodies to implement the new code globally. State Representative...