PALM BEACH, Fla. — In a historic shift for South Florida’s airspace, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has notified air traffic controllers across the country that Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) will switch its official three-letter aviation identifier to “DJT” overnight.
The immediate technical switch marks the final operational step in renaming the facility to the President Donald J. Trump International Airport. This transition marks the first time a major U.S. commercial airport has been named after a sitting president.
The Operational Switch
According to an FAA alert issued to the Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC), the transition occurs in phases to ensure safety and continuity across global flight networks:
- July 9, 2026 (Immediate): The FAA Location Identifier (LID) officially changes from PBI to DJT, and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) code changes from KPBI to KDJT. These updates primarily affect pilots, air traffic controllers, and flight-planning systems.
- August 18, 2026: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) code—the three-letter identifier travelers see on baggage tags, boarding passes, and booking websites—will transition to DJT. Passengers are advised to continue using “PBI” for flight searches until this mid-August date.
The FAA has issued an Information for Operators (InFO 26011) directive, giving airlines and commercial air agencies a strict 90-day window to update their certificates, manuals, and software systems to reflect the new designation.
From State Law to the Tarmac
The rapid renaming follows legislation passed by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis on March 30, 2026. The state law explicitly preempted local naming authority over major commercial airports and mandated that Palm Beach County transition the facility to honor the president.
While the change has drawn mixed reactions locally regarding its political nature and estimated 5.5 million dollar price tag for physical updates, airport officials emphasize that the day-to-day travel experience will remain entirely unaffected.
“The name change does not alter ownership, governance, legal status, or operational control of the airport,” the Palm Beach County Department of Airports said in a public statement. “Palm Beach County will continue to oversee all airport policies, finances, and strategic decisions. This is a branding change only.”
To shield local taxpayers, county commissioners narrowly approved a 4–3 vote on a trademark licensing agreement with the Trump Organization in May. Funding for the transition—including updating Interstate 95 exit signs, airport branding, and employee uniforms—will be drawn from state appropriations and airport revenues, rather than local property taxes.
Physical changes are already appearing, with the Florida Department of Transportation installing new highway signage along I-95 this week. Other digital systems and internal airport directories will continue updating in rolling phases over the coming months.
