NASHVILLE, Tennessee — The campaign to rename Nashville International Airport in honor of Dolly Parton is gaining powerful support, with Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee publicly backing the idea just days after the beloved music icon’s death.
What began as a fan-driven petition in 2025 has now turned into a serious conversation involving some of Tennessee’s top leaders. The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority is expected to take up the proposal at its September 17 meeting, potentially setting the stage for one of the most significant tributes yet to the country music legend.
Governor Lee said Nashville’s airport could serve as a fitting gateway to the world for a woman whose music, philanthropy, and unmistakable Tennessee identity reached millions across generations.
The governor has also discussed the proposal with representatives of Parton’s team, who expressed appreciation for the outpouring of support and said they were open to continuing the conversation about the tribute.
A Fan Campaign Takes Flight
The effort to rename the airport did not begin after Parton’s death. An online petition calling for Nashville International Airport—widely known by its airport code, BNA—to bear her name was launched in January 2025.
But the campaign surged dramatically following her death on August 25, 2026. Reports from the Associated Press and other U.S. news outlets said the petition had surpassed more than 150,000 signatures within days, demonstrating the extraordinary public support behind the proposal. Local leaders, including Nashville officials, have also voiced support for honoring one of Tennessee’s most recognizable cultural ambassadors.
Supporters argue that few people represent Tennessee on the global stage as strongly as Parton, whose journey from the Great Smoky Mountains to international superstardom became one of music’s most enduring success stories.
The Rule That Could Stand in the Way
Despite growing momentum, the name change is not yet a done deal.
The airport authority’s current naming policy generally requires a person to have been dead for at least two years before airport property can be named in their honor. That means officials may need to revisit or change the policy before any immediate renaming can move forward.
The proposal is expected to be discussed alongside the existing naming rules when the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority meets on September 17.
That hurdle could become the biggest test of whether the emotional groundswell surrounding Parton’s legacy can translate into official action.
A Historic Honor for a Tennessee Icon?
If approved, naming one of the nation’s busiest airports after Parton would be a landmark moment. The Associated Press noted that she could become the first woman to have her name attached to one of America’s 50 busiest airports, highlighting the historic significance of the proposal.
American airports have long been named after influential public figures, including Muhammad Ali in Louisville and Louis Armstrong in New Orleans. But women remain far less represented among major airport namesakes.
For Parton’s supporters, the argument goes beyond music.
Over a career spanning decades, she became known not only for classics such as “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You,” and “9 to 5,” but also for her humanitarian work and commitment to children’s literacy through her Imagination Library. Her influence stretched far beyond country music, making her a rare cultural figure admired across generations and political divides.
Could Travelers Soon Be Flying Into Dolly Parton International?
For now, Nashville International Airport remains BNA, and no final decision has been made.
But with the governor’s backing, overwhelming public interest, and Parton’s representatives open to further discussions, an idea once driven primarily by fans is now moving into the corridors of official decision-making.
The question is no longer simply whether Tennesseans love Dolly Parton enough to put her name on their airport.
The real question is whether officials are ready to change the rules—and make it happen.
The next major signal could come on September 17, when the airport authority considers the proposal and the policy standing in its way.
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