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 modify its naming policy and consider a tribute to the Tennessee-born singer, songwriter and philanthropist. Officials stressed that the final name has not yet been decided.
“While a final name has not yet been determined, we are working closely with the appropriate parties to thoughtfully determine how Dolly Parton’s name and legacy will be incorporated,” the airport authority said.
The vote followed a proposal backed by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Nashville International Airport in August. Mr Lee said he had discussed the idea with Parton’s representatives, who were described as appreciative of the public support and open to further talks.
The Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County also unanimously approved a resolution earlier this month asking the airport authority to waive its usual two-year waiting period for naming facilities after a person who has died. The resolution specifically proposed the name “Dolly Parton International Airport”, although the airport board has not committed to that wording.
Parton died aged 80 on August 25, 2026. She had spent much of her career closely associated with Tennessee through her music, charitable work and the Dollywood Foundation’s Imagination Library, which provides books to children.
A petition calling for Nashville airport to be named after Parton had attracted more than 155,000 verified signatures, according to reports made before Friday’s vote.
The airport authority said the decision marked only the first stage of a “multifaceted process”, with further details on the name and how any change would be implemented expected in the coming months.
