Nashville Airport to Honor Dolly Parton with Name Change

Nashville International Airport will soon bear the name of the beloved musician Dolly Parton. The board overseeing the airport voted unanimously to initiate the process of renaming it in her honor. The Metro Nashville Airport Authority announced the decision with a 6-0 vote on Friday. The final name is yet to be selected.

In a statement to CBS News, the airport authority expressed their intent to collaborate with relevant parties to incorporate Dolly Parton’s name and legacy thoughtfully. This decision comes only weeks after the iconic Tennessee singer passed away at age 80 due to a private battle with cancer.

Governor Bill Lee proposed the renaming, highlighting it as a fitting tribute reflecting Dolly’s influence. He noted that the airport, renamed, would symbolize her music, generosity, faith, and kindness.

An online petition supporting this change had gathered over 175,000 signatures by Friday. This movement started more than a year prior to Parton’s passing. During an interview on “CBS Mornings” in January 2025, when questioned about the petition, Parton had expressed surprise, finding the idea “just a joke.” However, she graciously appreciated the gesture, acknowledging it as a “nice compliment.”

The current code for the Nashville airport is BNA, a tribute to Col. Harry S. Berry. The Federal Aviation Administration’s approval is necessary for the name change to become official.

The board expressed their gratitude for the widespread support from both the local community and Dolly’s fans around the world.

In the U.S., several airports are already named after famous individuals such as the President Donald J. Trump International Airport in Florida and the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Efforts to honor Dolly Parton further include a legislative proposal by Tennessee state Senator Jessie Seal to designate September 25 as “9 to 5” Day, celebrating one of her iconic songs.