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Tennessee Governor Moves to Rename Nashville International Airport After Dolly Parton
On August 28, 2026, Tennessee’s governor, Bill Lee, announced that he and Nashville International Airport (BNA) are in talks with Dolly Parton’s representatives about renaming the airport after the country‑music icon who passed away on August 25. The proposal follows a grassroots petition that began in January 2025 and has since collected more than 54,000 signatures on Change.org.
In a statement sent to the USA Today Network, Lee said, “Gov. Lee spoke with Dolly’s team about the proposal this week.” The singer’s team replied that they were “touched by the idea and open to continuing the conversation,” adding that the outpouring of support was “extraordinary.” Lee emphasized that Parton’s legacy is “forever woven into the fabric of our state” and that naming the airport after her would “welcome travelers with the enduring legacy of Dolly’s music, generosity, faith, and kindness.”
The petition has been a rallying point for fans since Parton’s death. Dan Dion, one of the organizers, told reporters that “everybody is looking for a way to honor Dolly and her legacy.” A banner emblazoned with the petition’s message flew over the Tennessee State Capitol on the morning of August 28; the banner, paid for by Change.org, encouraged passersby to sign the online petition.
Renaming BNA is not a straightforward administrative step. The Metro Nashville Airport Authority’s Naming Policy, adopted in 2010 and last updated in 2024, requires that a honoree be deceased for at least two years and that the individual have made a significant contribution to aviation in Tennessee or to the airport authority itself. Because Parton died only three days before the announcement, the two‑year rule presents a hurdle. The authority will address the issue at its September 17 meeting, where it will decide whether an exception can be granted or whether the policy must be amended.
If the renaming moves forward, the airport’s IATA code is expected to remain BNA. A separate estimate places the cost of updating signage, marketing materials, and related infrastructure at roughly $10 million.
The proposal arrives amid a wave of tributes to the late icon. The University of Tennessee’s football team will wear a commemorative helmet sticker for the 2026 season, and Middle Tennessee State will display a patch on its opening‑game uniform on September 5. The singer’s family announced DollyFest, a two‑week celebration in Nashville and London that will take place in 2027.
Parton, who was 80 when she passed, was renowned for her philanthropic work, notably the Imagination Library, which provides free books to children in underserved communities. Her final studio album, Rockstar, released in 2023, reached number three on the Billboard 200.
Nashville International Airport, which opened in 1937 as Berry Field and adopted its current name in 1988, is Tennessee’s busiest airport. The 4,555‑acre property has four runways and served 99 domestic and international destinations. In 2022, the airport averaged 600 aircraft movements per day.
The governor’s announcement marks the latest step in a broader effort to honor Parton’s legacy while navigating the regulatory framework that governs airport naming. The outcome will be decided at the September 17 meeting, and the public will continue to watch how the state balances tribute with policy.
In the meantime, fans and officials alike are preparing for DollyFest 2027 and other commemorations that celebrate the singer’s impact on music, philanthropy, and Tennessee culture.
In a statement sent to the USA Today Network, Lee said, “Gov. Lee spoke with Dolly’s team about the proposal this week.” The singer’s team replied that they were “touched by the idea and open to continuing the conversation,” adding that the outpouring of support was “extraordinary.” Lee emphasized that Parton’s legacy is “forever woven into the fabric of our state” and that naming the airport after her would “welcome travelers with the enduring legacy of Dolly’s music, generosity, faith, and kindness.”
The petition has been a rallying point for fans since Parton’s death. Dan Dion, one of the organizers, told reporters that “everybody is looking for a way to honor Dolly and her legacy.” A banner emblazoned with the petition’s message flew over the Tennessee State Capitol on the morning of August 28; the banner, paid for by Change.org, encouraged passersby to sign the online petition.
Renaming BNA is not a straightforward administrative step. The Metro Nashville Airport Authority’s Naming Policy, adopted in 2010 and last updated in 2024, requires that a honoree be deceased for at least two years and that the individual have made a significant contribution to aviation in Tennessee or to the airport authority itself. Because Parton died only three days before the announcement, the two‑year rule presents a hurdle. The authority will address the issue at its September 17 meeting, where it will decide whether an exception can be granted or whether the policy must be amended.
If the renaming moves forward, the airport’s IATA code is expected to remain BNA. A separate estimate places the cost of updating signage, marketing materials, and related infrastructure at roughly $10 million.
The proposal arrives amid a wave of tributes to the late icon. The University of Tennessee’s football team will wear a commemorative helmet sticker for the 2026 season, and Middle Tennessee State will display a patch on its opening‑game uniform on September 5. The singer’s family announced DollyFest, a two‑week celebration in Nashville and London that will take place in 2027.
Parton, who was 80 when she passed, was renowned for her philanthropic work, notably the Imagination Library, which provides free books to children in underserved communities. Her final studio album, Rockstar, released in 2023, reached number three on the Billboard 200.
Nashville International Airport, which opened in 1937 as Berry Field and adopted its current name in 1988, is Tennessee’s busiest airport. The 4,555‑acre property has four runways and served 99 domestic and international destinations. In 2022, the airport averaged 600 aircraft movements per day.
The governor’s announcement marks the latest step in a broader effort to honor Parton’s legacy while navigating the regulatory framework that governs airport naming. The outcome will be decided at the September 17 meeting, and the public will continue to watch how the state balances tribute with policy.
In the meantime, fans and officials alike are preparing for DollyFest 2027 and other commemorations that celebrate the singer’s impact on music, philanthropy, and Tennessee culture.
