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The Florida legislature has advanced a measure that would rename Palm Beach International Airport in honor of President Donald Trump. If Gov. Ron DeSantis signs the bill and the Federal Aviation Administration approves required changes, the airport’s new name would take effect on July 1. The facility sits just minutes from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, which magnifies the symbolic weight of the proposal and has prompted a mix of support and criticism.
Supporters celebrate the move as recognition of a president with deep local ties, while opponents raise practical concerns about labeling a public facility after a sitting leader. Critics also point to potential costs associated with rebranding signage and materials, and to what they call insufficient community engagement during the decision process.
How this change would fit with existing presidential airport names
The planned renaming would place Palm Beach International among a small group of commercial American airports bearing the names of presidents. Across the nation, some terminals already honor former commanders in chief, reflecting local history, political connections, or civic campaigns to commemorate presidential legacies.
What it means to name an airport after a president
Attaching a president’s name to a major aviation hub is both symbolic and logistical. The symbolic value recognizes a personal or historical link to the region; the logistical impact includes costs for updated signage, documentation, and branding across municipal assets. In this case, the nearness of Mar-a-Lago gives the proposal particular resonance for supporters who see the airport as an extension of local identity.
Other U.S. commercial airports named for presidents
Many airports named for presidents reflect their regional connections or posthumous honors. Below are eight commercial airports that currently use presidential names and brief context for each.
Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport (SPI)
Located in Springfield, Illinois, the airport carries the name of the 16th president to acknowledge Lincoln’s long association with the state capital. The facility traces its origins to the mid-20th century and later adopted Lincoln’s name to emphasize the historical ties to the community.
Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport (DIK)
This North Dakota airport was renamed to celebrate President Theodore Roosevelt’s legacy and the region’s proximity to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The designation highlights Roosevelt’s historical connection to the local landscape and conservation heritage.
Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT)
In 2014 the Wichita airport officially incorporated the name of Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th president and a Kansan by upbringing. The change followed a citizen-driven petition effort that underscored Eisenhower’s ties to the state.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
New York’s major international gateway was renamed in the wake of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. Formerly known as Idlewild Airport, the airport’s new name was adopted quickly as a tribute, becoming one of the more prominent examples of posthumous commemoration.
Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR)
Grand Rapids’ airport honors Gerald R. Ford, a Michigan native and the 38th president, recognizing his long-standing ties to the region where he served in Congress before assuming the presidency.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
Congress renamed Washington National Airport in 1998 to honor Ronald Reagan, the 40th president. The federal action reflected a choice to mark Reagan’s national prominence by updating the capital-area airport’s historic name.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Houston’s intercontinental airport adopted the name of George H.W. Bush in 1997, acknowledging the former president’s significant connections to the Houston area and his public service record.
Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT)
Little Rock’s airport was rebranded in 2012 to honor Bill Clinton, a native Arkansan, and Hillary Clinton, who served as the state’s first lady and later as U.S. secretary of state. The joint name emphasizes the Clintons’ long association with Arkansas politics and civic life.
Reactions, implications, and next steps
Reactions have been split. Proponents argue the change boosts regional profile and commemorates a president with a prominent local presence. Opponents focus on the cost of rebranding, the timing of honoring a current officeholder, and what they say is limited public consultation. The bill still requires a gubernatorial signature and regulatory approvals; if those follow, the renaming would be implemented administratively and operationally beginning July 1.
As the debate continues, the proposal underscores broader questions about how communities commemorate leaders, the intersection of politics and public space, and the practical realities of renaming major infrastructure. Whether Palm Beach International ultimately adopts a presidential name will depend on the final administrative decisions and any responses from the local community and federal agencies.