Florida lawmakers have begun advancing legislation that could see Palm Beach International Airport renamed Donald J. Trump International Airport, following unanimous support for the proposal at committee level.
The Florida Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday backed SB 706, a bill that would transfer authority for naming the state’s seven major commercial service airports from local governments to the state. While the legislation applies broadly, the only airport currently earmarked for a name change is Palm Beach International.
“This is very appropriate,” said bill sponsor Debbie Mayfield, a Republican from Indialantic. “President Trump is the first president Florida has had, and he is a Palm Beach County resident. Naming one of the county’s iconic assets after him makes sense.”
Donald Trump has lived in Palm Beach County since 2019 and maintains strong ties to the area through his Mar-a-Lago estate, golf courses and resorts.
A revised version of the bill clarifies that any airport renaming would still require approval from the Federal Aviation Administration. A staff analysis accompanying the legislation noted concerns raised by Palm Beach County officials about the potential costs of rebranding, including replacing signage and marketing materials, although no estimate was provided.
Nick Iarossi, a lobbyist representing Palm Beach County, told the committee that Trump’s presence has had a significant local impact. “He’s had a major influence not just on the state, but on Palm Beach County itself,” Iarossi said. “It would be an honour to move forward with renaming the airport.”
Palm Beach International Airport has operated under its current name since 1948. Originally known as Morrison Field, it opened to commercial aviation in 1936 and served as a military base during both World War II and the Korean War before Palm Beach County assumed control in 1959.
The proposal marks a notable shift from previous local sentiment. In 2021, when Trump reportedly asked advisers to explore having an airport named after him, the Palm Beach County Commission rejected the idea.
Mayfield said circumstances have since changed, pointing to the airport’s role in hosting Air Force One during Trump’s visits. “There’s a huge economic impact,” she said. “We’ve spoken with the Trump team, and there are other positive developments planned for that airport.”
A companion bill, HB 919, is scheduled to be heard by the Florida House Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee. For the proposal to become law, SB 706 must still pass the Senate Community Affairs Committee and Senate Rules Committee before reaching the Senate floor.
The airport proposal follows earlier legislative action in 2025, when lawmakers renamed a four-mile stretch of Southern Boulevard — running from near the airport to Mar-a-Lago — as President Donald J. Trump Boulevard.
If approved, the bill would not affect the names of Florida’s other major airports, including Orlando International Airport, Miami International Airport, Tampa International Airport and Jacksonville International Airport.
The proposal is likely to spark further debate as it moves through the legislature, blending aviation policy, local economics and the enduring political influence of the former president in Florida.