Pilot challenges Palm Beach airport renaming to Donald Trump International
By Jolie Rodriguez
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WEST PALM BEACH, Florida (WPBF) — A Florida pilot has filed a lawsuit challenging the renaming of Palm Beach International Airport to “Donald J. Trump International Airport,” arguing the state lacks the legal authority to make the change.
The lawsuit was filed by George Poncy Jr., a Federal Aviation Administration-licensed pilot who regularly flies in the area.
Palm Beach International Airport is owned and operated by Palm Beach County. The lawsuit claims the renaming law violates the county’s home rule authority, which grants local governments control over county-owned facilities.
“I just felt, growing up in a country that I thought was what it was, and seeing what it’s become, I didn’t think I had a choice,” Poncy said.
Poncy also argues that even if county commissioners supported the renaming, he believes it was not legally binding.
“You can ask anybody if they thought it was good, but it’s not legal,” Poncy said.
The lawsuit raises concerns about aviation safety, claiming the change was advanced without coordination with the FAA. As a pilot, Poncy argues the renaming could create confusion in aviation systems.
“If you’re not totally up to date on this, you’ve got the wrong airport identifiers, you’ve got all kinds of charts, you’ve got navigation stuff, and if you’re in a transition period, you don’t know what you got,” Poncy said.
The complaint also questions the estimated $5.5 million cost of the renaming, arguing the final cost could be higher and could ultimately affect taxpayers.
Poncy is asking the court to declare the renaming unlawful and stop it from taking effect.
The FAA said it does not comment on ongoing litigation. The governor’s office, Palm Beach County and airport officials have been contacted for comment.
Before the lawsuit was filed, airport officials stated the law would change only the airport’s name — not its code, ownership or day-to-day operations — and said service would continue without interruption.
The renaming is set to go into effect on July 1.
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