Nashville International Airport could soon carry the name of one of Tennessee’s most celebrated cultural figures, Dolly Parton, following a formal push to rename the airport in her honour.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Nashville International Airport announced on August 28 that they intended to pursue the naming of the airport after Parton, describing the proposal as a lasting tribute to her influence on Tennessee and beyond. Parton died on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80.
The proposal has since gained political backing in Nashville. The Metropolitan Council unanimously adopted a resolution on September 1 requesting that the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority make an exception to its naming policy and rename Nashville International Airport as “Dolly Parton International Airport.”
However, the airport has not yet officially been renamed. The final decision rests with the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, whose board is scheduled to consider the proposal and the authority’s existing naming policy at its September 17 meeting.
That distinction is important because the airport’s existing policy creates a significant obstacle. Current rules generally require a person to have been deceased for at least two years before an airport property can be named after them. The proposed change would therefore require an exception to the policy rather than a straightforward name change.
Parton’s connection to Tennessee gives supporters a strong cultural argument for the proposal. Born in Sevier County in East Tennessee, she became one of the most internationally recognised figures associated with the state and Nashville’s music industry. Her career as a singer, songwriter and entertainer helped strengthen Nashville’s reputation as a global centre for country music.
Her influence also extended well beyond entertainment. Through the Dollywood Foundation and its Imagination Library programme, Parton supported childhood literacy by providing free books to children around the world. Tennessee officials have pointed to that philanthropy, alongside her music and cultural influence, as part of the reason an airport welcoming millions of travellers could serve as an appropriate tribute.
The proposal is not entirely new. Calls to rename the airport after Parton had circulated for years, including through an online petition that attracted tens of thousands of supporters before her death. Parton herself had previously reacted to the idea with amusement, saying in a 2025 interview that she initially thought the proposal was a joke but appreciated the compliment.
The timing of the renewed campaign has nevertheless raised the issue of whether the airport should make an exception to its established naming rules so soon after Parton’s death. Supporters argue that her extraordinary contribution to Tennessee makes the honour appropriate, while the airport authority must ultimately determine whether the proposal fits its policies and responsibilities.
For now, travellers should continue to refer to the facility as Nashville International Airport, commonly known by its airport code, BNA. If the airport authority approves the proposal, the name change would become one of the most prominent institutional tributes to Parton and would attach her legacy directly to a major gateway into Music City.
The proposal therefore remains a process rather than a completed renaming. The September 17 airport authority meeting is the next major step, and its decision will determine whether Nashville’s principal airport ultimately becomes Dolly Parton International Airport.
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