A Push to Rename Nashville’s Airport After Dolly Parton Gathers Momentum

A movement initiated by fans to rename Nashville’s airport in honor of Dolly Parton seems to be gaining traction, just days after the beloved country music star passed away.

On Friday, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and the CEO of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority expressed their support for the name change. It’s anticipated that this topic will be addressed at the airport authority’s upcoming meeting next month.

Even before Parton’s death at the age of 80, fans had started an online petition in January 2025 to rename Nashville International Airport after her. Following her passing, the petition saw a surge in signatures, surpassing 155,000 by Friday.

If successful, the change would make Parton the first woman to have her name associated with one of America’s 50 busiest airports.

The governor mentioned that he has already talked about this idea with representatives for Parton.

“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,” Lee stated.

Parton, who rose from humble beginnings in the Great Smoky Mountains, became a cultural icon, admired across generations and demographics. Beyond her musical successes, which include hits like “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You,” she also made her mark in films such as “9 to 5” and “Steel Magnolias.”

Many airports in the U.S. are named after famous personalities, including Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville, Kentucky, and John Wayne Airport in California. Furthermore, New Orleans’ airport was renamed in honor of jazz legend Louis Armstrong in 2001.

Most U.S. airports that bear a person’s name typically honor men, with few exceptions like Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Arkansas and Amelia Earhart Memorial Airport in Kansas.

Putting Parton’s name on the Nashville airport may require a reassessment of the governing authority’s policies, which typically stipulate that airport properties should only be named for individuals who have been deceased for at least two years.

The governor’s proposal, alongside the naming policy, will be discussed by the airport authority on September 17.