Nashville airport may be renamed after Dolly Parton days after her death

Tennessee officials consider renaming Nashville International Airport after Dolly Parton following her death at 80

Tennessee officials are considering renaming Nashville International Airport after Dolly Parton, just days after the country music icon died at age 80.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Nashville International Airport announced the proposal on Friday, Aug. 28. Lee said he had spoken with Parton’s team, who were reportedly touched by the idea and open to continuing discussions.

“Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state,” Lee said in a statement. He added that naming the airport after Parton would honour her music, generosity, faith and contributions to Tennessee.

Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell also supports the proposal. He noted that Parton had been working with the city on SongTeller, a planned hotel and museum project, and described renaming the airport as a way for Nashville to honour her legacy.

The Metro Nashville Airport Authority is expected to discuss the proposal and the airport’s naming policy at its meeting on Sept. 17. Officials said additional details would be announced in the coming weeks. The proposal would also require approval from the Federal Aviation Administration.

The push to rename Nashville International Airport began before Parton’s death. Tennessee residents Lydia Popovich and Dan Dion launched a Change.org petition in January 2025 calling for the facility to be renamed Dolly Parton International Airport. Organisers said the campaign gained renewed momentum after her death, collecting more than 150,000 signatures by Aug. 28.

The campaign has received support from Nashville-based singer Sheryl Crow and Tennessee State Rep. Todd Warner, who said he would introduce legislation supporting the proposed name.

Parton died on Aug. 25 following a brief battle with cancer, according to her representatives. The airport currently uses the code BNA, which refers to Berry Field Nashville Airport, named after Tennessee veteran Harry Smith Berry.