Nashville’s Airport Might Be Renamed for Dolly Parton Under Governor’s Proposal: ‘Our State’s Favorite Daughter’
It's not official yet—but fans are one step closer to their dream
Key Takeaways
- Gov. Bill Lee has proposed renaming Nashville's airport after Dolly Parton.
- The plan is not final yet; the airport authority meets Sept. 17 to discuss it.
- A petition to honor Dolly at BNA has drawn tens of thousands of new signatures.
Dolly Parton fans, we have some exciting news! Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced plans to rename Nashville International Airport after the country music legend. This news comes just three days after Parton’s death and is something fans have wanted for a while. To learn more about the suggested new name for Nashville’s airport, keep scrolling!
What to know about the Dolly Parton airport
For years fans have been pushing for lawmakers to rename the Nashville International Airport (BNA) after Parton. There was even a petition created by Tennessee residents in 2025, which garnered over 156,000 signatures.
“As proud citizens of Tennessee, we are motivated by our deep-rooted admiration for the national treasure and Tennessee legend, Dolly Parton,” the petition read. “We request that the airport’s name be changed to Dolly Parton International Airport to honor an icon who has given so much to our state and to the world.”
And now, after years of petitioning, it seems fans are finally getting what they want. On Friday, August 28, Governor Lee announced that he and the Nashville International Airport were teaming up to try and rename the facility after the late “Jolene” singer.
“Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state,” Governor Lee said in a statement. “From her rural mountain home in East Tennessee to global stages, Dolly carried the Volunteer Spirit with her. At a place where Tennessee welcomes the world, it is fitting that Nashville International Airport would bear the name of our state’s favorite daughter and greet travelers with the enduring legacy of Dolly’s music, generosity, faith and kindness.”
When will the Nashville airport be renamed after Dolly Parton?
The change hasn’t been approved by the state’s lawmakers, so there is no official word on when the Nashville airport be renamed after Parton. As it stands now, Governor Lee and Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority president and CEO Doug Kreulen will pitch the idea to The Metro Nashville Airport Authority’s (MNAA) during their meeting on Thursday, September 17, 2026. From there, the idea will either be approved and move forward with more details, or it will be sent back to the drawing board.
“BNA is the front door to Music City, and with that comes a responsibility to reflect the very best of who we are as a community,” Kreulen said in the same statement. “Dolly’s remarkable legacy reminds us that what makes Nashville special is our ability to welcome people from every walk of life. She understood that dignity, kindness and opportunity should never be defined by where you come from or your socioeconomic status. At BNA, we share that commitment. Whether you are boarding a private aircraft or taking your first flight, you deserve to be welcomed, respected and served with the same level of care. That spirit is what defines BNA and it is a fitting reflection of the values Dolly shared with Tennessee and the world.”
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