Palm Beach customs now closes three hours before Trump flight restrictions take effect

Under a newly announced procedure, U.S. Customs at Florida’s Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) will close three hours before Presidential TFRs (Temporary Flight Restrictions) take effect, according to Federal Aviation Administration PBI air traffic manager Robert Berlucchi. This eliminates previous variability in closing the customs office ahead of the TFR, while allowing enough time for Secret Service to conduct a security sweep of the airport before President Trump flies in to visit his nearby Mar-a-Lago resort.

As in the past, U.S. Customs will remain closed for the duration of the TFR.

The TFR includes a 10-nautical-mile inner ring that prohibits general aviation operations at Palm Beach County Park (LNA) and a 30-nautical-mile outer ring with additional operating restrictions. General aviation operations into PBI during the TFR require prior screening at a gateway airport. The FAA has designated Florida's Orlando International (MCO) and Fort Lauderdale International (FLL), Washington, D.C.'s Dulles International (IAD), New Jersey's Teterboro (TEB), and New York;s Westchester County (HPN) as gateway airports for traffic inbound to PBI.

Additionally, screening will be available at PBI for departures from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays. Operators must register with the TSA for screening at least 24 hours before departure by calling (561) 616-9650.