Florida airport officially renamed after Donald Trump; US Prez calls it ‘a very big day’

A South Florida airport officially changed its name on Thursday to President Donald J. Trump International Airport, replacing the long-standing Palm Beach International Airport name as part of a state-approved move honouring the US president.The change took effect after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation earlier this year authorising the renaming. Airport officials said the transition would take several weeks, with old and new branding temporarily coexisting across the terminal.“Because an entire airport transformation doesn’t happen overnight, you’ll notice a combination of both our classic look and our new brand elements coexisting while traveling through the terminal over the next several weeks,” the airport said in a Facebook post.

Trump Force One marks airport’s first arrival under new name

The first aircraft to land after the renaming was “Trump Force One,” the Boeing 757 owned by The Trump Organisation. The aircraft arrived shortly after 5 am, carrying President Donald Trump’s son, Eric Trump.The Trump family frequently uses the airport when travelling to Mar-a-Lago, the president’s Palm Beach residence. Earlier this year, the road connecting the airport to the estate was also renamed President Donald J Trump Boulevard.Celebrating the occasion, Eric Trump wrote on X, “There is no person who has done more for Florida and our country, and no one more deserving of this incredible honor.”He added that he would be proud to see the airport’s new code “DJT” on his boarding pass.According to news agency AP, while the airport’s official name changed on Thursday, its three-letter airport code will remain PBI until August 18, when it will officially switch to DJT.

Trump hails renaming on Truth Social

President Trump also welcomed the move in a post on Truth Social, calling it “a very big day” for Palm Beach.“The Area is HOT, the Location is GREAT, and the Renovation will be SPECTACULAR,” Trump wrote, adding that it would become “one of the Greatest and Most Spectacular Airports anywhere in the World!”The renaming is expected to cost up to $5.5 million, covering new signage, branding and other infrastructure updates.Airport officials have already begun removing Palm Beach International Airport signs while installing the new branding across the facility.

Travellers divided over decision

The renaming drew mixed reactions from passengers.Keegan Collett, a traveller heading to Cincinnati, told AP he was surprised by the change.“At the end of the day, it’s just the name of an airport. There’s bigger things. I feel like it’s just more of a distraction.”Meanwhile, corporate pilot Chris Bailey welcomed the move, saying Trump had “certainly done enough to warrant a name of an airport”, as quoted by news agency AFP.However, doctor John Manov criticised the decision. “Palm Beach is a better brand. People don’t really like Donald Trump. It seems in poor taste.”

Part of wider push to honour Trump

The airport renaming comes amid a broader effort by Trump supporters to place the president’s name on public infrastructure.On the same day, US treasury secretary Scott Bessent joined Republican lawmakers in Tennessee to unveil the Donald J Trump Bridge on Interstate 40.Several government programmes and landmarks have also recently adopted Trump’s name or branding.Critics have argued that the growing number of Trump-branded public institutions resembles the personality cults often associated with authoritarian governments, while supporters say the honours reflect his political legacy.Eric Trump dismissed criticism of the airport renaming, telling Fox News, “Anything that bears our name is slightly controversial.”He added that his father felt “honoured” and “humbled” by the recognition.