The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed permanent flight restrictions around Donald J. Trump International Airport in Palm Beach, Florida, to bolster security near President Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate. The move, requested by the US Secret Service on national security grounds, comes amid growing concern over unauthorised aircraft and drones, and follows several threats against the president, including a June plot involving explosive-laden drones. Security experts, however, warn that airspace rules alone will do little to deter determined attackers.

Under the proposed Special Flight Rules Area, aircraft flying below 2,000 feet within one nautical mile of the zone would need explicit clearance, continuous contact with air traffic control and an assigned transponder code, while arriving and departing flights would face strict security checks. Drone expert Brett Velicovich, a former US Army intelligence analyst, pointed to the 2024 Butler, Pennsylvania shooting, in which the attacker used a cheap, commercially available drone to conduct surveillance beforehand, arguing that agencies need active counter-drone interdiction systems rather than relying on designated no-fly zones. The FAA's proposal is open for public comment until 2 October; the White House referred enquiries to the Secret Service, which had not commented further.