Nashville International Airport could soon have a new name honoring one of Tennessee’s biggest stars. Days after Dolly Parton’s death, a proposal to rename the airport in her honor has gained support from state and airport officials. What started as a fan petition now has real momentum behind it, but a naming rule could still complicate the plan.
Why Nashville Airport Could Be Renamed in Honor of Dolly Parton
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and airport officials announced Aug. 28, three days after Parton’s death, that they intend to pursue the tribute by naming Nashville International Airport after the state’s most beloved daughter. The proposal would give the airport the name Dolly Parton International Airport, although the change is not yet final.
The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority expects to address both the proposal and its naming policy at its Sept. 17 meeting. Parton’s team has said it is touched by the idea and open to continuing the conversation.
Lee said naming the airport after Parton would be fitting because it is where Tennessee welcomes visitors from around the world. The proposal has also gained momentum from the public campaign to honor Parton, which surged after her death.
Fans Pushed for a Dolly Parton Airport
The push to rename the airport began while Parton was still alive. A 2025 petition calling for Dolly Parton International Airport gained new momentum after she died on Aug. 25 at age 80, and now has more than 160,000 verified signatures. Lydia Popovich and Dan Dion launched the petition in January 2025, arguing that Parton’s influence on Tennessee’s culture, tourism and philanthropy made her a fitting choice for the airport’s name. After her death, the campaign gained tens of thousands of supporters.
The idea has also moved beyond an online campaign. Nashville Council member Russ Bradford has supported the effort, while Tennessee State Rep. Todd Warner has pledged to introduce legislation backing the renaming.
Why Dolly Parton Fits Nashville
Dolly Parton’s connection to Tennessee goes beyond country music, spanning philanthropy and business as well, which makes her name a natural fit for an airport that serves as a gateway to the state. Born in Sevier County, Parton moved to Nashville as a teenager and built a career that made her one of Tennessee’s most renowned cultural figures. Her hits include “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You,” while her business ventures include Dollywood.
Her influence also extends into philanthropy. Through the Dollywood Foundation’s Imagination Library, Parton helped provide hundreds of millions of free books to children around the world. Tennessee officials have repeatedly highlighted that combination of music, business and service when honoring her legacy.
If approved, the naming would also make Parton the first woman to have her name attached to one of the 50 busiest U.S. airports, according to The Associated Press. Parton had spoken candidly about her health weeks before her death, while focusing on new projects until the end.
The Airport’s Naming Rule Could Delay It
The biggest obstacle is the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority’s naming policy, which requires a waiting period after a person’s death before a facility can be named in their honor. The policy, originally adopted in 2010 and updated in 2024, requires a person to have been deceased for at least two years before a facility can be named for them. The earliest the airport authority could formally approve the name change would be 2028, unless the board grants an exception.
The policy also includes requirements concerning a person’s contribution to the authority or the field of aviation in Middle Tennessee. That means Parton’s proposed honor cannot become official right away, even though state leaders and fans support it. The airport authority will need to determine how the proposal fits with its existing rules and whether those rules should change.
The authority has confirmed that its naming policy and Lee’s proposal will be addressed at the Sept. 17 meeting. For now, the airport remains Nashville International Airport. But the proposal is under official discussion, which is a much bigger part of the story.
