- Tennessee officials are backing a proposal to rename Nashville International Airport in honour of Dolly Parton.
- Governor Bill Lee has supported the campaign following the country music legend’s death at 80.
- A fan petition calling for the name change had attracted more than 155,000 signatures by August 28.
- The proposed name is Dolly Parton International Airport, but the change is not yet official.
- Airport officials will discuss the proposal and existing naming rules at a September 17 meeting.
Nashville International Airport could soon carry the name of one of Tennessee’s most famous daughters. Governor Bill Lee has thrown his weight behind plans to rename the airport after country music icon Dolly Parton, who died on August 25, 2026, aged 80. The proposal gained fresh momentum just days after her death, with airport officials also supporting the idea.
Lee said he had already spoken with representatives of Parton’s team about the proposal. Her representatives have expressed appreciation for the gesture and indicated they are open to continuing discussions. The governor believes the airport, which serves as a major gateway to Tennessee, would provide a fitting tribute to Parton’s contribution to the state and beyond.
Fans Push for Dolly Parton International Airport
The campaign to rename the airport did not begin after Parton’s death. A Change.org petition launched by Lydia Popovich and Dan Dion in January 2025 had already attracted supporters, but the number grew sharply following news of her passing. By August 28, more than 155,000 people had signed the petition calling for the airport to become Dolly Parton International Airport.
The campaign has also received backing from Tennessee lawmakers and public figures. State Representative Todd Warner has pledged to introduce legislation supporting the proposed name change. Supporters argue that the airport is an ideal location for the tribute because millions of travellers use it as their entry point into Nashville and Tennessee.
Why Parton Is Closely Linked to Tennessee
Parton’s connection to Tennessee stretches far beyond her music career. She was born in East Tennessee and rose from a modest background to become one of the world’s best-known country music performers. Her career later became closely tied to Nashville, where she built a global reputation through songs, business ventures and philanthropy.
Her influence also extends into tourism and charitable work. Parton is strongly associated with Dollywood in the Great Smoky Mountains and the Imagination Library, which provides books to children. Supporters of the airport proposal say those contributions make her an appropriate symbol for a state that welcomes visitors from around the world.
Despite the political support, the airport cannot simply be renamed immediately. The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority has an existing naming policy that generally requires a person to have been dead for at least two years before an airport facility can carry their name. Parton died only days before the latest proposal was announced, creating an immediate obstacle.
The authority is expected to discuss the naming policy and Lee’s proposal during its scheduled meeting on Thursday, September 17, 2026. Officials could consider whether the existing policy should be changed or whether an exception should be made for Parton. Any eventual name change would also require approval from the Federal Aviation Administration.
The proposed change would give Parton a rare distinction in the United States. If approved, she would become the first woman to have her name attached to one of America’s 50 busiest airports. Most major US airports named after individuals honour men, making the proposal significant beyond Tennessee.
For Nashville, the tribute would connect the city’s international gateway directly to an artist whose career helped put Tennessee’s music culture on the global map. The airport currently operates under the BNA name, which traces its history to Berry Field Nashville Airport. The proposed change would therefore represent a major transformation of one of the city’s most recognisable public landmarks.
The final decision now rests with airport authorities and the relevant regulatory bodies. Until those steps are completed, Nashville International Airport will retain its current official name. If the proposal succeeds, however, travellers arriving in Music City could soon be greeted by the legacy of Dolly Parton.
