Tennessee Governor Proposes Renaming Nashville Airport for Dolly Parton

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has formally proposed renaming Nashville International Airport (BNA) in honor of the late music icon Dolly Parton. The announcement, made on Friday, August 28, 2026, follows Parton's passing earlier in the week at the age of 80. This initiative supports a significant fan-driven petition, which has amassed over 150,000 signatures advocating for the change. Governor Lee emphasized that it is fitting for the airport, as a gateway to Tennessee, to bear the name of the state's beloved daughter and reflect her enduring legacy.

The proposal faces a hurdle due to the Metro Nashville Airport Authority's (MNAA) existing policy, which dictates that airport properties can only be named after individuals who have been deceased for at least two years. This policy means an official renaming might not occur until 2028. The governor's office stated that both the proposal and the current naming policy will be reviewed at an MNAA meeting scheduled for September 17. The estimated cost for such a renaming could be around $10 million.