(This story was updated because a previous version contained an error.)
The new blue entrance sign at Palm Beach County’s airport makes it clear that there has been a name change. On July 9, Palm Beach International Airport became President Donald J. Trump International Airport, with Trump Force One being the first plane to land.
Now the county Department of Airports faces the challenge of paying for the change, which goes beyond the new entrance and exit signs that are going up in phases.
The cost is estimated at about $5.5 million, but the state budget includes only $2.75 million of it. County officials were hopeful that state or federal agencies would cover it all, but despite their lobbying efforts, there is a shortfall of nearly $3 million.
“The department will continue to pursue all available funding opportunities, including legislative appropriations, eligible Florida Department of Transportation funding opportunities, grants and other airport funding sources,” said department spokesperson Rebeca Krogman when asked about the shortfall.
“Any future funding decisions will be made through the Airport’s normal budgeting process.”
She noted that the airport operates as an enterprise fund, meaning county property taxes are not used to support its operations. Its spending plans are supported through airport revenues and federal and state appropriations.
When the bill was making its way through the state Legislature, an analysis by the Florida House acknowledged that the name change would “negatively affect local government spending related to renaming the airport.”
The name change involves more than replacing entrance and exit signs. It also requires updates to uniforms, vehicle and equipment markings, promotional materials, printed documents and digital assets, including the airport website. The airport will also incur legal expenses.
State Rep. Meg Weinberger, R-Palm Beach Gardens, who sponsored the bill to rename the airport, said she remains hopeful that the full cost of rebranding the airport could be recovered.
“I know there are discussions with the state Department of Transportation,” she said.
Weinberger has defended the name change, saying it was appropriate to rename the airport for Trump, noting that the president has been a Palm Beach County resident since 2019. He’s owned Mar-a-Lago, his Palm Beach estate, since 1985.
Meanwhile, a day before the airport was rebranded, it was ranked among the 10 Best U.S. Airports in Travel + Leisure’s annual World’s Best Awards. Readers of the publication ranked it tenth based on several factors, including airport access, check-in and security, restaurants, shopping and overall design.
“As we continue to invest in our airport, we remain focused on delivering the high level of service travelers have come to expect at Palm Beach International Airport,” said Airport Director Laura Beebe.
Meanwhile, President Trump, in a post on Truth Social, called the renaming on July 9 “a very big day” for South Florida. He promised the facility would undergo a major transformation.
“This will soon be one of the Greatest and Most Spectacular Airports anywhere in the World!” he said.
Mike Diamond is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. He covers Palm Beach County government. You can reach him at mdiamond@pbpost.com. Help support local journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Trump International name change has airport $2.8M in hole for now
Reporting by Mike Diamond, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Mike Diamond, Palm Beach Post | USA TODAY Network
