Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority announced plans on August 28, 2026, to rename Nashville International Airport after late country music icon Dolly Parton. The proposed tribute follows a massive public petition and sets up a pivotal airport authority board vote scheduled for September 17.
Governor Bill Lee and BNA Move to Honor Dolly Parton
Days after the death of American music legend Dolly Parton at age 80, state leaders and aviation officials initiated steps to transform the primary gateway to Music City. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Nashville International Airport announced their joint intent to rename the transportation hub in her honor.
Lee stated that he spoke with Parton’s team regarding the proposal. According to a joint announcement from the governor and the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, her representatives expressed appreciation for the overwhelming public support, noted they were touched by the idea, and remained open to continuing discussions.
The potential renaming would place the Sevier County native’s name on BNA, making her a permanent fixture for millions of travelers. Parton died following a brief battle with cancer, touching off an international wave of grief and tributes.
The Grassroots Petition That Ignited Public Support
While state leaders endorsed the plan on a Friday, the momentum began more than a year prior through dedicated fans. An online initiative titled Rename Nashville International Airport to Dolly Parton International Airport was launched on Change.org in January 2025 by organizers Lydia Popovich and Dan Dion.
Following Parton’s passing, the petition experienced an explosive surge in traffic. By August 28, the page had accumulated 155,501 verified signatures.
Popovich and Dion watched the signature count climb as thousands of comments poured in detailing personal connections to the singer. Among those comments were accounts of assistance from the Dollywood Foundation during emergencies, such as the 2016 Gatlinburg fires.
Political Leaders Rally Behind the Music Icon
Elected officials across local and state governments quickly lined up to support the designation. Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell threw his backing behind the push, describing the proposal as a love letter to the singer.
State Rep. Todd Warner stated on the petition page that he intended to introduce legislation supporting the name change. Warner had previously sponsored a bill to rename the airport after President Donald Trump before withdrawing that measure amid widespread pushback, noting he would champion the Parton renaming if others did not beat him to it.
Meanwhile, Nashville Council member Russ Bradford sponsored a resolution asking the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority to consider renaming BNA, while acknowledging that the authority holds final jurisdiction over facility naming decisions.
Economic Scale and the September 17 Authority Hurdle
Redesignating the major transportation hub involves clearing strict administrative guidelines. Under current rules established in 2010, the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority maintains a policy stating that airport properties should only be named for individuals who have been deceased for at least two years. Waiving or amending that policy requires a formal board vote.
The board will address both its existing naming policy and the governor’s proposal during a scheduled meeting on Thursday, September 17. Doug Kreulen, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, indicated that honoring Parton aligns with the region’s core identity.
The scale of the hub highlights the massive visibility such a tribute would carry. According to the InterVISTAS Consulting Economic Impact Study, BNA generated $13.8 billion in total economic impact during 2024 alone, supported 80,000 jobs, and contributed $2.1 billion in federal, state, and local taxes while operating without local tax dollars.
Unresolved Questions Ahead of the Board Vote
While executive backing and public enthusiasm point toward a historic change, several practical milestones remain unaddressed. Officials have not yet established a firm timeline for physical signage updates or official code shifts.
Whether the airport authority will grant a special exception to its two-year waiting period remains the central question heading into the September 17 board meeting, where leadership is expected to release further details regarding the transition.
