Airport renamed after Donald Trump seems in no rush to change signs | World | News
An old Palm Beach International Airport sign seen here before it was changed (Image: Getty)
Donald J Trump International Airport is the new title of a major Florida transport hub re-branded by America’s 47th president…in honour of himself. Sitting just five miles from Trump’s Mar-a-lago resort, the airport formerly known as Palm Beach International (PBI), underwent a name change after a vote and agreement by the local county commission in May.
But according to The Guardian, the transition has hit some turbulence, and many signs inside the airport still bear the old PBI name and branding. The newspaper reports that although digital boards and traffic signs now use the new name, many of the old physical emblems, such as in baggage halls and on ticket counters, still have read PBI and there’s no timeline yet for them to be amended.
The formal aviation code change-over is due to happen on August 18. All international airports have a three-letter code, for example, London Heathrow is LHR. Donald J Trump International Airport will formally become DJT next month, changing from the old PBI code.
The Donald J Trump signs have not been placed everywhere yet, it’s reported (Image: Getty)
The Guardian reports possible reasons for the slow re-branding effort in some parts of the airport may be due to a debate over where funding should come from for the project.
It said only £2.75 million, around £2 million, has come from Florida state level towards the change, but the same amount is needed again to reach the projected overall cost of $5.5 million, or around £4 million.
Palm Beach county representatives are so far refusing to make up the shortfall and say local taxpayers should not have to pick up the bill.
Joseph Abruzzo, the county administrator, told the Miami Herald more funding was needed from the state, which is run by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis.
Mr Abruzzo told the Herald: “We will be able to make the baseline, necessary changes to signage with the $2,750,000. But for the full extensive signage, we will be needing the other half of those funds from the state.”
Traffic signage is in place but it’s reported other signs have not changed yet (Image: Getty)
Donald Trump‘s son Eric became the first landing at the airport when the new name was announced on July 9.
According to the DJT airport website: “The State of Florida appropriated $2.75 million toward the project.
“The remaining costs will be funded through the Department of Airports’ operating budget and capital improvement program.”
The statement added that “no local property tax dollars” would be “used to operate President Donald J. Trump International Airport”.
Joel Flores, a local county commissioners who voted against the trademark change for the airport, said it should be “soley” up to the state to fund any changes.
He added: “We’ve also heard that, federally, they might be sending some dollars down, but I have not seen any bills or budgets that address that. So until I see the money in the bank, I’m not going to count with it.”
Rebeca Krogman, the public information officer for the Palm Beach department of airports, said: “As with any facility of this size, it would not be practical to list every individual sign or area that has or has not yet been updated.
“We have begun updating all digital touchpoints, including the airport’s website, social media platforms, and digital signage within the terminal. Temporary signage is also being deployed across the campus pending installation of permanent signage, including the large welcome sign on Turnage Boulevard.”
“It is our intent to continue these improvements through the airport’s normal budgeting process, primarily utilising available external funding sources, such as the recent state allocation for signage upgrades, while actively pursuing additional opportunities, including legislative appropriations and grant funding.”
