Florida Bill Advances to Rename Palm Beach Airport for Donald J. Trump
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Florida lawmakers advance a bill to rename Palm Beach airport for Donald J. Trump as his company files trademarks for potential airport names and merchandise.
Key Takeaways
- •Advances bill to rename Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) for Donald J. Trump after an 81-30 House vote.
- •Coincides with The Trump Organization filing three trademarks for airport names and related merchandise.
- •Requires final approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the name change to become official.
- •Breaks from the historical U.S. tradition of naming airports for presidents posthumously or long after their term.
A legislative effort in Florida to rename Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) in honor of former President Donald J. Trump is advancing, coinciding with new trademark filings by The Trump Organization for airport-related branding. The Florida House of Representatives approved the measure with a vote of 81-30, sending it forward for consideration.
The proposal represents a significant break from the convention of naming major U.S. airports for presidents posthumously or years after they have left office. The move has generated political controversy and raises questions about the commercial branding of public infrastructure, particularly as the legislation requires a licensing agreement with the Trump-affiliated entity holding the name's trademark.
Legislative and Trademark Developments
The Florida bill, if passed by the state Senate where a similar bill (SB 706) has advanced, would officially designate PBI as “President Donald J. Trump International Airport.” According to Palm Beach County's department of airports, the estimated cost for the name change, including signage and materials, is approximately $5.5 million.
In parallel, The Trump Organization has filed three applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The filings seek to secure rights to “President Donald J. Trump International Airport,” “Donald J. Trump International Airport,” and the potential airport code “DJT.” The applications also cover airport-themed merchandise. The company stated the filings were a defensive measure to prevent misuse of the name and that no royalties would be collected from the airport renaming.
Trademark attorney Josh Gerben noted the unusual nature of the arrangement, where a private entity connected to the honoree would own the trademark for a public facility. Typically, the public operator of the airport holds such trademarks.
Regulatory Oversight and National Context
Any official name change requires approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The process, governed by regulations like 14 CFR Part 157, is typically administrative and not expected to be a major obstacle. The request must be submitted through the FAA's Airport Data and Information Portal (ADIP).
This is not the only effort to name an airport after the former president. A separate bill (H.R. 7845) was introduced in the U.S. Congress to rename Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) in his honor, a proposal that has also faced significant political opposition. While several major U.S. airports are named for former presidents, such as John F. Kennedy International (JFK) and Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA), those honors were bestowed years after their terms ended.
What Comes Next
The legislation's fate now rests with the Florida Senate. If the bill is passed and signed into law, Palm Beach County would need to finalize a license agreement with The Trump Organization and submit the formal name change request to the FAA for final approval. The process is subject to further legislative and regulatory review.
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Written by Ujjwal Sukhwani
Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience. Covers flight operations, safety regulations, and market trends with expert analysis.
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