Dolly Parton Airport: Nashville Moves Forward With Bipartisan Plan to Rename Airport
A rare moment of bipartisan agreement is taking shape in Nashville as Republican and Democratic officials unite behind plans to rename Nashville International Airport in honor of country music legend Dolly Parton.
The proposal has gained significant momentum following Parton’s death on August 25, 2026. On September 11, the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority board unanimously voted to begin the process of renaming the airport after the Tennessee-born music icon. The board’s vote was 6-0.
The final name has not yet been decided, but Nashville’s Metro Council has formally requested that the airport be renamed “Dolly Parton International Airport.”
The move is particularly notable because Tennessee’s Republican-controlled state government and Nashville’s Democratic-controlled city government have been involved in a broader dispute over control of the airport. Despite those political differences, both sides have rallied around Parton’s legacy.
Nashville Airport Renaming Gets Bipartisan Support
The campaign to rename the airport has attracted support from political leaders across party lines.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, a Republican, announced the state’s intention to pursue the airport renaming on August 28, describing Parton as Tennessee’s “favorite daughter.” Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell, a Democrat, has also endorsed the proposal.
The Nashville Metro Council separately passed a resolution requesting that the airport authority make an exception to its existing naming policy and rename the facility “Dolly Parton International Airport.” The resolution was adopted September 1 and formally recorded as passed on September 4.
The bipartisan backing is significant because the airport has become a point of political conflict between Nashville and the Republican-led state government.
Yet Parton’s cultural influence has provided an issue on which both sides can agree.
Why Dolly Parton Is Being Honored
Parton’s connection to Tennessee stretches far beyond her career in country music.
Born in Sevier County in East Tennessee, she became one of the world’s most recognizable entertainers while maintaining a strong connection to her home state.
Her music helped establish Nashville as a global center for country music, while her philanthropic efforts have given her an influence that extends well beyond entertainment.
Through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, millions of children have received free books, while her broader charitable work has made her one of Tennessee’s most prominent philanthropists.
Governor Lee’s office said Parton’s life and legacy have had an extraordinary impact on Tennessee and beyond, making the airport a fitting location for a permanent tribute.
Fan Petition Helped Drive the Campaign
The airport proposal was not created entirely by politicians.
A fan-driven campaign had been pushing for the name change before Parton’s death. Lydia Popovich, a Dolly Parton fan, launched a petition supporting the idea in 2025.
Following Parton’s death, support surged dramatically.
The petition had gathered more than 175,000 signatures, according to the Associated Press.
The campaign gained additional attention because Parton herself had previously resisted several proposals to honor her with major public monuments or locations during her lifetime.
According to the Associated Press, Parton had previously asked Tennessee lawmakers to withdraw a 2021 proposal for a statue of her at the state Capitol, while indicating that such an honor might be appropriate later in life or after her death.
That history has made the current airport proposal particularly meaningful to supporters.
The Airport’s New Name Has Not Been Finalized
Although “Dolly Parton International Airport” has been proposed, officials have emphasized that the final name has not yet been determined.
The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority said it is working with the appropriate parties to determine how Parton’s name and legacy should be incorporated into the airport’s identity.
That means travelers should not expect the airport’s official signage and branding to change immediately.
The renaming process could take a year or more, according to airport officials. It will also require coordination with Parton’s estate and other stakeholders.
BNA Airport Code Is Expected to Remain
One important detail for travelers is the airport’s three-letter code.
Nashville International Airport currently uses BNA, a code connected to the airport’s historical name, Berry Field Nashville Airport.
Even if the official name changes, reports indicate that BNA is expected to remain the airport’s identifying code.
Keeping the existing code would avoid significant disruption for airline reservations, airport systems, luggage operations and travel websites.
The airport’s branding could therefore change while BNA continues to appear on tickets and flight information.
A Tribute During a Political Airport Battle
The timing of the proposal is particularly unusual.
Nashville and Tennessee have been engaged in a political dispute over control of the airport authority. The state government and city government have different positions over who should control the body responsible for Nashville’s airport.
The Dolly Parton proposal has temporarily created common ground.
The Associated Press described the situation as an unusual moment in which Republican state officials and Democratic Nashville officials agree on the same airport-related objective despite their broader political conflict.
Parton’s reputation as a figure who appealed to people across political and cultural boundaries has helped make the proposal unusually unifying.
Parton Previously Declined Major Honors
The airport proposal also has an interesting connection to Parton’s personal approach to public honors.
During her lifetime, Parton frequently downplayed the idea of receiving major public monuments or government tributes.
She reportedly declined the proposal for a statue at the Tennessee Capitol, asking lawmakers to withdraw the legislation.
Her passing changed the conversation.
Supporters now argue that naming Nashville’s major international gateway after her would provide a fitting tribute to someone who played an enormous role in promoting Tennessee around the world.
What Would a Dolly Parton Airport Mean for Nashville?
Nashville is internationally known as Music City, and Parton is one of the artists most closely associated with Tennessee’s musical identity.
Supporters of the renaming argue that an airport carrying her name would immediately communicate Nashville’s cultural identity to millions of visitors.
The Metro Council resolution cited Parton’s role in promoting Nashville and Tennessee internationally, as well as her contributions to tourism, music and the region’s creative economy.
An airport is also one of the first places many visitors encounter when arriving in a city.
For Nashville, supporters say, having Dolly Parton’s name at that gateway would make the airport itself part of the city’s musical story.
Could Dolly Parton Become the First Woman Honored This Way?
The proposed renaming would also have historical significance.
Reports say Parton would become the first woman to have her name attached to one of the 50 busiest airports in the United States.
Major US airports have traditionally been named after presidents, political leaders, military figures, astronauts and other prominent public figures.
A major international airport named after a female music icon and philanthropist would therefore represent a notable departure from that tradition.
What Happens Next?
The September 11 vote is an important step, but it does not mean the renaming is already complete.
Airport officials now need to work through the formal process, including determining the exact name, coordinating with Parton’s estate and handling the operational and branding changes associated with a new airport name.
Federal aviation authorities also need to approve an airport name change.
Officials have indicated that the process could take a year or longer.
For now, Nashville International Airport remains officially known by its current name, with BNA continuing to be the airport code.
Dolly Parton’s Legacy Lives Beyond Music
The proposed Dolly Parton Airport is ultimately about more than changing a sign.
Parton’s career spanned music, film, business, entertainment and philanthropy. She became an international cultural figure while maintaining a strong connection to Tennessee.
Her charitable work, particularly through the Imagination Library, has expanded her legacy beyond the entertainment industry.
That broad impact is one reason supporters from both political parties have embraced the airport proposal.
If the renaming is ultimately approved and completed, millions of travelers could eventually arrive in Nashville through an airport carrying the name of one of Tennessee’s most influential and beloved figures.
For a state known around the world for country music, it would be a fitting welcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Nashville International Airport be renamed after Dolly Parton?
The renaming process has officially begun. The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority voted unanimously on September 11, 2026, to move forward with the process, but the final name has not yet been determined.
What will the new Dolly Parton airport be called?
The Nashville Metro Council has requested the name “Dolly Parton International Airport.” However, the airport authority has not finalized the official name.
Will the Nashville airport code BNA change?
The airport’s BNA code is expected to remain unchanged even if the airport’s official name changes.
Why is Nashville renaming its airport after Dolly Parton?
Supporters say Parton made enormous contributions to Tennessee’s music, tourism, culture and philanthropic reputation. Her international fame also helped promote Nashville and the state around the world.
Do Republicans and Democrats support the airport renaming?
Yes. Republican state leaders, including Governor Bill Lee, and Democratic Nashville officials have supported the proposal. The bipartisan backing is especially notable amid an ongoing political dispute over control of the airport.
When could the airport officially be renamed?
The process could take a year or more, according to airport officials. Additional decisions involving the final name, Parton’s estate and regulatory approvals are still required.
How many people supported the Dolly Parton airport petition?
A fan-created petition supporting the renaming had gathered more than 175,000 signatures after Parton’s death, according to the Associated Press.
