Tennessee governor proposes renaming Nashville airport in honour of Dolly Parton
Bill Lee and the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority announced the proposal on August 28, 2026
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has proposed renaming Nashville International Airport in honour of Dolly Parton, just days after the country music icon’s death at the age of 80.
Lee and the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority announced the proposal on August 28, 2026, saying the move would create a lasting tribute to Parton’s extraordinary career, philanthropy and connection to Tennessee.
“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,” Lee said, praising Parton’s music, generosity, faith and kindness.
Parton’s representatives have been approached about the proposal and said they are touched by the idea and open to continuing discussions. The proposal has also received support from airport leadership, which described Parton as a figure whose legacy reflects Nashville’s welcoming spirit.
The proposal would not immediately change the airport’s name. The Metro Nashville Airport Authority is scheduled to consider the proposal and its existing naming policy at a meeting on September 17.
That policy could present an obstacle because it currently states that airport properties should generally only be named after people who have been dead for at least two years. Parton died on August 25, meaning the authority would need to revisit its rules if it chooses to approve the tribute.
The proposal follows a grassroots campaign to put Parton’s name on the airport. An online petition launched in 2025 gained renewed momentum following her death, attracting more than 150,000 signatures. Supporters have argued that naming Nashville’s major international gateway after Parton would recognise her enormous contribution to Tennessee’s cultural identity.
Parton, who was born in East Tennessee, became one of the world’s most recognisable entertainers after moving to Nashville and building a career spanning music, film, television and business. Her influence also extended well beyond entertainment through philanthropic initiatives including the Dollywood Foundation and Imagination Library, which has distributed nearly 200 million free books to children.
If approved, the proposed renaming would give Nashville’s main airport a permanent connection to one of Tennessee’s most celebrated cultural figures. The final name and whether the airport’s existing BNA designation would change have yet to be determined.
