Yesterday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) began transitioning Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) to its new designation, Donald J. Trump International Airport (DJT).
According to Fox News: “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.”
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.”
View on Threads
With a president who has just a 33% approval rating, this is disappointing to many people, including me. The comments alone on Fox News’ Threads post tell you everything you need to know. Below are just a few examples:
@dannyguykelly: “When people think of Palm Beach, they think of Jeffrey Epstein and his friend lil Donnie.”
@democratic.capitalist: “Airport Code PDO.”
@zibsweatytoes6969: “I heard that in some countries they jail sexual predators instead of electing them president twice and naming airports after them. Crazy, right?”
@small_towngirl59: “Naming an airport after a convicted rapist is pure Florida.”
@seraph_1509: “And I can’t wait to watch the name get torn down.”
@gardeninginhk: “A name change doesn’t remove the history of the young girls who passed through there on their way to Trump’s buddy’s place and their brutal treatment.”
@rizkey_bizness: “As a native Floridian, I will NEVER use this airport. I’ll fly to Ga. and drive home if I have to. 😂😂😂😂”
@megankelleyhall: “Remind me NEVER to set foot there ever again.”
@mpquinley: “I’ll make sure I never fly into that airport.”
@mariamaldonadosmith: “We live locally…we will never fly out of there again. Thankfully, we have two other nearby options. 🙌🏻”
I’ve been fortunate to fly in and out of PBI dozens of times, and I even have a flight booked there later this year. But like many others, I’m going to avoid it by changing my flight to either nearby Fort Lauderdale (FLL), which is 48 miles away, or Miami International (MIA), which is 70 miles away. Here’s a list of all the alternate airports in the U.S.
How about you? Does the name change make you more likely to book a ticket to PBI, or does it make you want to avoid it?
