FAA begins DJT transition as Trump airport rename takes effect

The Federal Aviation Administration on Thursday began transitioning Palm Beach International Airport to its new Donald J. Trump International Airport designation, changing the airport’s FAA locational identifier from PBI to DJT as the renaming officially took effect.

The name change was required under legislation signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on March 30, which renamed the airport and directed Palm Beach County to obtain the necessary federal approvals and begin implementing the transition.

Beginning Thursday, the FAA’s locational identifier is DJT, while the airport’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) identifier is KDJT. Those identifiers are used by pilots, air traffic controllers and aviation systems for flight planning, navigation and other operational purposes.

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The code passengers see on airline tickets, baggage tags and travel websites is different.

While the FAA’s operational identifier changed immediately, the transition will occur in phases.

According to the airport, travelers should continue using PBI when searching for flights, booking flights and checking baggage until Aug. 18, when the International Air Transport Association (IATA) is scheduled to implement the commercial code change to DJT. Airport officials said the change was initiated by IATA at the request of several airlines serving the airport.

Officials said the phased rollout is designed to ensure a smooth transition as airlines, reservation systems and airport partners update their platforms. Flights, airline schedules and airport services will continue operating normally throughout the transition.

Airport officials also emphasized that the renaming does not affect ownership or governance of the airport. Palm Beach County will continue overseeing airport operations, finances and strategic decisions, describing the transition as a branding change rather than an operational one.

Motorists are already beginning to see the new name. Florida Department of Transportation highway signs directing travelers to the airport have been updated, while airport officials said onsite signage and branding will be replaced in phases over time.

The airport also said local property taxes will not fund the transition. Instead, costs will be covered through airport revenues or other airport funding sources, with the possibility of additional state funding.

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One of the first high-profile arrivals following the transition was expected to be Eric Trump, whose aircraft, Trump Force One, was scheduled to land shortly after the new FAA identifier took effect. Ahead of the flight, Eric Trump celebrated the milestone on social media.

“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 wrote. “There is no person who has done more for Florida and our country, and no one more deserving of this incredible honor.”

Eric Trump, who said he flies through the airport “nearly every day,” added that he would “forever be proud to see the initials ‘DJT’ on my boarding pass.

“Congratulations Dad — I’m happy to have played a big role in making this happen,” he wrote.

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Airport officials said they will continue providing updates through the airport’s website and social media channels as additional signage, branding and passenger-facing systems are updated in the coming weeks.