PALM BEACH — Palm Beach County residents are facing new airspace restrictions following a directive from the Federal Aviation Administration, which has imposed a 24/7, year-round flight restriction around Mar-a-Lago. The change comes amid heightened security concerns, including a recent FBI investigation into a suspicious structure discovered near the presidential flight path.
Effective Monday, Palm Beach County Commissioner Gregg Weiss said aircrafts are prohibited from operating within a one nautical mile radius of Mar-a-Lago, regardless of whether President Donald Trump is in town. This marks a significant shift from previous temporary restrictions that were only enforced during presidential visits.
“There’s nothing we can do, quite frankly. This is a decision made by the FAA. We’re going to have to get used to it because we’re going to be living with it,” Weiss said.
The new restriction is expected to alter flight paths for aircraft arriving and departing from Palm Beach International Airport. Communities located north of the airport’s primary east-west runway may experience increased air traffic and noise as a result.
According to Weiss, when President Trump is in town, Temporary Flight Restrictions will be activated:
- Inner Core: A 10-nautical-mile radius around PBIA with strict limitations on general aviation and drone operations.
- Outer Ring: Extends from 10 to 30 nautical miles around PBIA, with additional restrictions and procedural requirements for approved flights.
These measures are designed to enhance security but may lead to increased noise and rerouted traffic for nearby neighborhoods.
Just days before the new restrictions took effect, the Secret Service discovered a wooden “hunting stand” hidden in a treeline approximately 600 yards from where President Trump deplanes Air Force One at PBI. The structure, described as a small elevated platform, was found during a routine security sweep on Oct. 16.
The Palm Beach County Department of Airports anticipates a rise in noise complaints. Residents affected by the changes are encouraged to call the Noise Abatement Office at 561-683-7242 or submit comments online via the PBI Noise Comment Portal. For more information on TFRs and airspace regulations, visit the PBI Temporary Flight Restrictions page.
Local communities such as Grandview Heights and Flamingo Park in West Palm Beach may be among those most impacted by the rerouted air traffic and increased noise levels.
“It’s a lot more than it normally is. That’s mildly inconvenient if it’s all the time, that’s going to suck,” said Brandon Easter, a Flamingo Park neighbor.
WPEC-CBS12 is a news partner of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.