‘Dolly Parton International Airport’ Moves Closer to Becoming a Reality, as Nashville Airport Board Votes Unanimously for Name Change

The idea of renaming Nashville’s airport for Dolly Parton was not just an easily forgotten pipe dream that popped up in the days following the superstar’s death in August. The proposal moved a big step closer to reality Friday, as the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority voted 6-0 to officially start the process of changing the airport’s name in her honor.

What exactly the new name would be has not been settled — although Dolly Parton International Airport appears to be the obvious de facto possibility — and there are further approvals yet to come. But Nashville locals seem more convinced than ever, in the wake of the unanimous vote and previous support from top governmental officials, that this is all but a done deal.

“While a final name has not yet been determined,” the Authority said in an announcement following the vote, “we are working closely with the appropriate parties to thoughtfully determine how Dolly Parton’s name and legacy will be incorporated. This vote represents the first step in a multifaceted process. In the coming months, we anticipate having more definitive plans to share regarding the next steps and implementation. We are grateful for the tremendous support and enthusiasm from our community and Dolly’s fans around the world. We look forward to sharing additional details as plans are finalized.”

The idea had come up even before the death of Parton (pictured above at London’s Heathrow Airport in 1977). In an interview with the Tennessean newspaper in January 2025, amid development of her forthcoming Broadway musical, the star was asked about the prospect. She treated it lightly at the time. “”I think that’s probably more of a joke than anything,” she said. “I mean, it does sound like a lot of fun to say: ‘Your flight is departin’ from Nashville’s D. Parton.'”

Now, it’s seeming likely we can count on hearing that jocular catchphrase employed as an actual slogan for decades to come.

Support for the honor has come from a lot of corners — including the general public’s, with more than 175,000 people having signed a Change.org petition supporting a name change.

Perhaps more importantly for its chances of success, both Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell had come out in favor of a name change. In late August, 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.”

Her estate has not publicly issued any comment on whether it supports a name change. Parton had not been willing to go along with just any governmental honor, as was proven in 2021 when she personally put a kabosh on a state legislator’s proposal to have a statue of the performer put up in front of the Tennessee capitol. But, of course, an airport carries fewer negative connotations than Tennessee’s eternally controversial state legislature.

Considerable expense would go into rebranding the entire airport and its facilities. One thing that would remain is the BNA three-letter designation, which would be unaffected by an official name change.