Nashville airport officials voted 6-0 to begin renaming the airport for Dolly Parton, honoring the late country legend and Tennessee icon.
Nashville International Airport is moving closer to a historic name change honoring Dolly Parton after the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority unanimously voted to begin the renaming process.
The airport authority approved the measure in a 6-0 vote on September 11, marking the first major step toward placing the late country music legend’s name on one of Tennessee’s most important transportation hubs.
However, travelers should not expect to see a new name immediately. Airport officials emphasized that a final name has not yet been selected and that additional steps will be required before the change is implemented.
Airport board backs Dolly Parton tribute
The unanimous vote follows months of growing support for honoring Parton, who had deep connections to Tennessee through her music, philanthropy and decades-long cultural influence.
The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority said the decision begins a “multifaceted process” to determine how Parton’s name and legacy will be incorporated into the airport’s identity.
Officials said they are working with the appropriate parties and expect to provide additional details in the coming months.
A Nashville Metro Council resolution had previously called for the airport to be renamed “Dolly Parton International Airport.” That resolution was adopted September 1, although the airport authority retains authority over the property’s official naming process.
More than 155,000 people backed the idea
The airport proposal has also received substantial public support.
A petition calling for Nashville International Airport to be renamed in Parton’s honor had collected more than 155,000 verified signatures, according to Fox News’ reporting before Friday’s vote.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has also supported the effort, saying Parton’s extraordinary life and contributions are deeply woven into the state’s identity.
The campaign gained additional momentum following Parton’s death at age 80 in August.
Dolly Parton’s Tennessee legacy
Parton was born and raised in Tennessee and became one of the state’s most recognizable ambassadors through songs, films and business ventures.
Her influence also extends far beyond country music. Through the Imagination Library, her literacy initiative has provided free books to children, while her broader philanthropic work has made her a prominent figure in Tennessee and around the world.
Her connection to Nashville is particularly significant because the city has long been associated with her rise as a country music superstar.
When will the airport get a new name?
For now, Nashville International Airport remains the official name.
The authority’s vote does not immediately rename the facility. Instead, it starts the process of determining the final name and how Parton’s legacy will be incorporated.
It is also not yet clear exactly how the new name will affect the airport’s familiar BNA designation.
Any eventual name change could require updates to signs, airport materials and other infrastructure across the sprawling airport property.
For travelers, the most important takeaway is that the airport has not yet officially become a Dolly Parton-named airport. The unanimous vote represents the beginning of the process, with officials expected to announce more details as plans develop.
If approved and completed, the change would give one of America’s best-known airports a name closely tied to one of Tennessee’s most beloved cultural figures.
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