Nashville International Airport could soon carry the name of one of Tennessee’s most beloved cultural icons, as state officials move forward with plans to rename the airport in honor of Dolly Parton.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Nashville International Airport announced their intention on August 28 to pursue the renaming of the airport following Parton’s death at age 80 earlier this week. The proposal would honor the country music legend’s extraordinary contribution to Tennessee, music and philanthropy.
A tribute to Tennessee’s favorite daughter
Governor Lee described Parton’s life as being deeply connected to the identity of Tennessee, from her upbringing in the state’s eastern mountains to her emergence as a global music superstar.
He said renaming the airport would create a lasting tribute to Parton’s music, generosity, kindness and service.
The proposal has also received support from Doug Kreulen, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, who said Parton’s values reflected the welcoming spirit associated with Nashville International Airport.
The airport could become Dolly Parton International
Supporters have proposed the name Dolly Parton International Airport, although the final name has not yet been approved.
The airport is currently known as Nashville International Airport, commonly referred to as BNA. The BNA designation comes from Berry Field Nashville Airport, named after Colonel Harry S. Berry.
The proposed change would give millions of travelers arriving in Music City a direct connection to one of the state’s most recognizable names.
Public campaign gains momentum
The push to rename the airport is not entirely new. A petition calling for Parton’s name to be placed on the airport was launched in 2025, but gained enormous momentum following her death.
More than 150,000 people had signed the petition by August 29, with supporters including celebrities such as Sheryl Crow.
The campaign gained additional political support from Tennessee lawmakers, with state Representative Todd Warner also indicating that he would support legislation for the proposed name change.
Parton’s family is open to the idea
Governor Lee’s office said he had spoken with representatives of Parton about the proposal.
Her team expressed appreciation for the public support and said they were open to continuing discussions about the tribute.
That makes the proposal particularly significant as officials begin working through the formal process.
There is still an approval process
Despite headlines suggesting the airport is already being renamed, the change is not yet final.
The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority is scheduled to address the proposal at its September 17 meeting. The airport authority’s current naming policy presents an additional hurdle, as existing rules restrict naming properties after individuals who have been deceased for less than two years.
Any eventual name change would also require the appropriate regulatory approvals, meaning the process could take time.
A fitting tribute to a global icon
Parton’s connection to Tennessee extends far beyond her music.
She became one of the world’s most successful country artists, selling more than 100 million records and creating enduring songs including “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You.” Her philanthropic work, particularly through the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, has also had a profound impact, with the program gifting nearly 200 million books to children worldwide.
Renaming Nashville’s international gateway after her would therefore recognize not only her contribution to music but also her influence on the state and generations of people around the world.
If approved, the move would give Nashville one of the most recognizable airport names in the world and create a permanent public tribute to a woman whose career helped make Tennessee synonymous with country music.
For now, the proposal is moving through the approval process.
Nashville International Airport could soon become a lasting tribute to Dolly Parton but the official renaming still requires approval.
