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Drivers traveling on Interstate 95 in South Florida can already see the first signs bearing the name "Presidential Airport Donald J. Trump," several days before the official change takes effect on July 9.
According to reports from WPTV and WPBF, crews worked overnight from July 1 to 2 to replace the signage for exit 69B in both directions of the highway, so thousands of drivers began to encounter the new name this weekend.
The installation coincided with one of the busiest travel periods of the year, the July 4th holiday, which made the change visible to thousands of people heading to the airport.
Although the name change will be official on Wednesday, July 9, the transition will not be complete that same day.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will then adopt the new name, but the IATA code of the airport—the identifier used by airlines on tickets and reservation systems—will not change from PBI to DJT until the next August 18.
"Airlines recently voted in favor of changing the IATA code, which is the code that appears on tickets and in reservation systems. The change will take effect on August 18," explained Laura Beebe, director of Airports for Palm Beach County.
The official assured that the transition will not affect ticket purchases, reservations, or baggage handling. Additionally, the airport has set up a frequently asked questions section to guide passengers through the process.
The travelers react with indifference
Inside the terminal, several passengers interviewed by local media downplayed the name change.
"I knew it was going to happen. For me, it's simply a name change. There are many places named after presidents," commented traveler Nibras Jarrar.
Another passenger, Fedor Welebob, stated that the only thing that really matters is that the airport continues to operate normally.
The airport itself acknowledged that the decision generates divided opinions.
"While we recognize that the name change may be received in different ways by our passengers, we appreciate your continued support during this transition period," the management stated in a release on their website.
A measure approved by the Florida Legislature
The name change was approved this year through the bill HB 919, supported by the Florida Legislature and enacted by Governor Ron DeSantis on March 30th.
The initiative involves an estimated cost of over five million dollars to update signage, technological systems, uniforms, and promotional materials for the airport, which receives about 8.6 million passengers annually and is located approximately eight kilometers from Mar-a-Lago.
The renaming has also been the subject of legal challenges.
One of the lawsuits was filed by pilot George W. Poncy Jr., who argues that the law exceeds the state's authority and could pose risks to aviation safety.
Another legal action was added on July 2, filed by attorney Victoria Doyle, which challenges the trademark licensing agreement signed with the company responsible for managing the intellectual property of President Donald Trump.
While those resources are moving forward, the change continues to progress. Starting August 18, the new DJT code will also begin to appear on airline tickets and booking platforms.
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