Dolly Parton Airport Rename Gains Governor’s Backing
The push to rename Nashville International Airport after country music legend Dolly Parton has received a major boost, with Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and airport officials announcing their intent to honor the late icon just days after her death at age 80.
Lee and the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) announced on Aug. 28 their intention to name BNA in honor of Parton, who died Tuesday at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center after a brief battle with cancer. The proposal will be addressed at the MNAA’s meeting on Sept. 17, according to AP News.
A Lasting Tribute
“Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state,” Lee said in a statement. “From her rural mountain home in East Tennessee to global stages, Dolly carried the Volunteer Spirit with her. At a place where Tennessee welcomes the world, it is fitting that Nashville International Airport would bear the name of our state’s favorite daughter and greet travelers with the enduring legacy of Dolly’s music, generosity, faith, and kindness.”
Lee’s office confirmed he spoke with Parton’s team about the proposal this week. Her team expressed appreciation for the outpouring of support and said they are “touched by the idea and open to continuing the conversation,” according to the official TN.gov press release.
Doug Kreulen, president and CEO of the MNAA, also voiced strong support. “Dolly’s remarkable legacy reminds us that what makes Nashville special is our ability to welcome people from every walk of life,” Kreulen said. “She understood that dignity, kindness and opportunity should never be defined by where you come from or your socioeconomic status.”
A Grassroots Campaign Takes Flight
The renaming effort began in January 2025 when Nashville residents Dan Dion and comedian Lydia Popovich launched a Change.org petition. The campaign was sparked partly by lawmakers considering a separate proposal to rename BNA for President Donald Trump, though Dion emphasized the effort was “always pro-Dolly” rather than anti-Trump, as The Tennessean reported.
Following Parton’s death, the petition surged from tens of thousands to more than 155,000 signatures within days. On Aug. 28, a plane towing a banner urging the renaming buzzed over the Tennessee State Capitol, paid for by Change.org.
“Everybody is looking for a way to honor Dolly and her legacy,” Dion told The Tennessean. “Our airport is so important, and there’s symbolism in flying into Parton Airport. With Dolly’s message of love, acceptance, music, kindness, humor and all these things, people feel that she is representative of what Tennessee truly is.”
If approved, the change would make Parton the first woman whose name adorns one of America’s 50 busiest airports, as The Guardian noted.
Policy Hurdles and Costs
The airport’s current naming policy only allows facilities to be named for people who have been dead at least two years and who made significant contributions to the airport authority or aviation in Middle Tennessee. The MNAA will need to revisit this policy for the renaming to proceed.
A 2025 airport analysis estimated that renaming BNA would cost approximately $10.34 million, including new signage across the 4,500-acre property, replacement of the 40-foot-tall BNA monument, updated merchandise, shuttle bus decals, uniforms, and amending hundreds of legal contracts.
Rep. Todd Warner plans to introduce legislation to rename the airport when the state house returns to session, according to NewsChannel 5.
Broad Support Across Tennessee
Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell called the renaming “a wonderful idea” and hinted that more tributes to Parton could be announced soon. “Dolly was in the process of working with us on a remarkable hotel and museum - SongTeller that she called her love letter to Nashville,” O’Connell said. “Now it’s our turn to share a love letter to Dolly.”
Tennessee Department of Tourism Commissioner Mark Ezell endorsed the renaming, calling Parton “Tennessee tourism’s first lady.” The effort has drawn support from across the political spectrum, with NewsChannel 9 reporting on the broad coalition behind the proposal.
What’s Next
The MNAA meeting on Sept. 17 will be a critical milestone. While the announcement represents significant momentum, the final name change has not been approved, and the airport authority will need to navigate its existing naming policy.
As Deadline reported, Parton’s team remains open to discussions, and her team believes she “still has a special way of bringing people together for good.” For fans and officials alike, the airport renaming represents a fitting tribute to a woman who spent a lifetime welcoming the world to Tennessee.