Under a newly announced procedure, U.S. Customs at Florida’s Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) will close three hours before Presidential TFRs take effect, according to FAA 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.
Operators should thus expect U.S. Customs at PBI to close at 12:15 p.m. EST tomorrow—three hours before the next Presidential TFR in the Palm Beach area takes effect. As in the past, U.S. Customs will remain closed for the duration of the TFR.
The TFR includes a 10-nm inner ring that prohibits general aviation operations at Palm Beach County Park (LNA) and a 30-nm 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 Orlando International (MCO), Fort Lauderdale International (FLL), Dulles International (IAD), Teterboro Airport (TEB), and Westchester County (HPN) gateway airports for traffic inbound to PBI.
Additionally, screening will be available at PBI for departures from from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Operators must register with the TSA for screening at least 24 hours before departure by calling (561) 616-9650.