Trump’s Air Force One ‘first’ follows Palm Beach airport’s July renaming

Air Force One landed at the former Palm Beach International Airport at 8.10pm local time on 16 October 2026. Linda Feldmann of The Christian Science Monitor, reporting for the travelling press pool, described the arrival as apparently the first by Air Force One since the airport was renamed after Donald Trump. [7]

In a Truth Social post on 18 October, Trump shared a photograph and wrote: “The first landing of Air Force One at President Donald J. Trump International Airport, in Palm Beach County, Florida!” [2]

WPTV reported that Trump was making his first Mar-a-Lago visit of the season, following a campaign stop in Dalton, Georgia. [9]

The reported first is tied to the new name. Air Force One had used the same airport before its renaming: an earlier press pool report recorded a landing there on 1 May. [8]

A Florida law signed by Governor Ron DeSantis on 30 March required the renaming, subject to federal approval and a free licence to use the name. The name change took effect on 9 July. The airport’s three-letter airline booking code changed from PBI to DJT on 18 August. [3] [4] [6]

A free licence, but rebranding costs

The county’s Department of Airports initially estimated the rebranding at $5.5m, covering signs, technology systems, printed materials and other changes. In its 20 August update, the department said Florida had appropriated $2.75m towards the project. It said the transition would use airport revenues or other airport funding sources, not local property taxes, and would not involve a separate passenger fee. [6]

County commissioners approved a naming-rights licence with Trump and DTTM Operations LLC on 5 May by four votes to three, WPTV reported. The agreement published with the county’s agenda papers grants royalty-free use of the name.