Nashville International Airport has moved closer to being renamed in honour of Dolly Parton after the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority voted unanimously to begin the process.
The board voted 6-0 on Friday, September 11, to amend its existing naming policy and explore incorporating the late country music star’s name into the airport’s official title. The decision does not yet determine the final name.
The authority said it was working with the relevant parties to decide how best to reflect Parton’s legacy, with further details expected in the coming months. ([upi.com](https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2026/09/11/nashville-airport-dolly-parton/9371789144947/?utm_source=openai))
The move follows a proposal announced by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Nashville airport officials on August 28. Lee said Parton’s representatives were appreciative of the idea and open to further discussions. ([tn.gov](https://www.tn.gov/governor/news/2026/8/28/gov–lee-announces-partnership-to-name-nashville-international-airport-in-honor-of-dolly-parton.html?utm_source=openai))
Nashville’s Metro Council also voted unanimously earlier this month to ask the airport authority to rename the facility “Dolly Parton International Airport”. That resolution was advisory, leaving the final decision with the airport board. ([nashville.legistar.com](https://nashville.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?GUID=65669F46-604F-411E-874D-59878B900900&ID=8197868&Options=&Search=&utm_source=openai))
Parton, who died aged 80 on August 25, was born in East Tennessee and became one of the state’s most internationally recognised figures through her music, business ventures and philanthropic work.
Her Imagination Library literacy programme has distributed hundreds of millions of books to children around the world, while her career helped cement Tennessee’s association with country music.
A public petition calling for Nashville International Airport to be renamed in her honour had attracted more than 155,000 verified signatures, according to reports before Friday’s vote.
Airport chief executive Doug Kreulen previously described Nashville International Airport as the “front door to Music City” and said Parton’s values of welcome, dignity and opportunity were closely aligned with the airport’s role.
Although Friday’s vote begins the formal process, officials have not said when a new name could take effect or whether the airport’s existing BNA branding would be retained.
