Governor Bill Lee and the Metro Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) have confirmed that plans to rename the BNA Nashville International Airport to honor Dolly Parton are underway after the iconic singer, songwriter, actress, and philanthropist died last week at age 80.
The governor confirmed in a Friday press release that his office and the MNAA were working together on the proposal to rename the airport, and that Parton’s team was “touched by the idea and open to continuing the conversation.”
In a statement, Lee said the name change would be a fitting tribute for Parton.
“Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state,” Lee said. “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.”
Doug Kreulen, the president and CEO of MNAA, similarly stated that Parton’s name would reflect the values held by those who work at the airport.
“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,” said Kreulen.
He added, “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.”
At press time, nearly 170,000 people had signed an online petition calling for the airport to be renamed.
Last week, the petition drew the attention of State Representative Todd Warner (R-Chapel Hill), who told the group collecting signatures that he would introduce legislation in support of the name change. Metro Nashville Council Member Russ Bradford (District 13) has also submitted a resolution to support naming the airport after Parton.
Potentially complicating the matter is the policy MNAA previously adopted for honoring deceased individuals, which limits such honors to “individuals who have been deceased at least two years by the time of the proposed naming and who have made a substantial personal contribution to the MNAA and/or the field of aviation in Middle Tennessee.”
The momentum for the airport name change comes in addition to the move to designate September 25 as “9 to 5 Day” in honor of Parton’s hit album, song, and film by the same name.
To mark Parton’s 80th birthday, the governor designated January 19 as “Dolly Parton Day” earlier this year.
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Tom Pappert is a 2025 recipient of the Dao Prize and the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star. He also reports for the Star News Network. Follow Tom on X. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Dolly Parton” by Dolly Parton and “Nashville International Airport Security” by Nashville International Airport.
