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Pilot Sues to Halt Florida’s Order Renaming Palm Beach International for President Trump

The case tests state power over a county-run airport under Florida’s home‑rule system.

Overview

  • A Palm Beach County pilot filed a circuit court lawsuit seeking to declare HB 919 unlawful and to stop the name change before the July 1 effective date.
  • The complaint says the state exceeded its authority by dictating a new name for a county-owned and locally managed airport in violation of home rule.
  • The filing warns of safety risks from mismatched updates to air traffic communications, charts, NOTAMs, and flight‑planning software during the transition.
  • The suit cites more than $5.5 million in rebranding and systems costs and argues partial state funding could push the balance onto local taxpayers.
  • Airport officials said the code PBI would stay the same as changes roll out in phases, while the FAA called naming a local decision that still requires federal database updates and the statute requires cost‑free rights to use the Trump name.