President Donald Trump is returning to Mar-a-Lago this weekend, the first of his seasonal visits to his Palm Beach home this fall and winter. Boca Raton Airport has issued a VIP Temporary Flight Restriction for Friday, Oct. 16, through Sunday, Oct. 18, affecting aircraft within a 30-nautical-mile outer ring.
When Air Force One is parked at President Donald J. Trump International Airport in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton Airport takes on extra aircraft that cannot land at the larger airport. The airport is mostly corporate, international and recreational.
Executive director Clara Bennett said the airport meets with fixed base operators and the Air Traffic Control Tower manager ahead of visits like this to set procedures for the expected rise in traffic. Staff also notify nearby residential communities. Bennett said the airport typically sees higher fuel sales when more planes divert to Boca Raton. She said the new changes to protected airspace over Mar-a-Lago will not affect the airport.
Residents who want to watch takeoffs and landings can visit the public observation area next to the administration building at 903 NW 35th St. The airport averages more than 83,000 operations a year and includes a federal Customs and Border Protection facility.
