NASHVILLE, TN. (THECOUNT) — Nashville International Airport will be renamed in honor of country music icon Dolly Parton after the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority voted unanimously Friday to begin the process of changing the airport’s name.
The board voted 6-0 on September 11 to modify its existing naming policy, marking the first formal step toward honoring Parton at the primary airport serving Nashville and Middle Tennessee.
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Although the vote supports renaming the airport, the final name has not yet been determined. Airport officials said the decision begins a broader process that will involve additional planning, coordination and approval from the Federal Aviation Administration.
“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 airport’s current three-letter code, BNA, is expected to remain in place. The designation comes from Berry Field Nashville and honors Col. Harry S. Berry, a Tennessee military veteran and early figure in the airport’s history.
The renaming effort gained momentum after Parton’s death on August 25, 2026, at age 80. A petition launched by Lydia Popovich, a Parton fan who began the campaign in 2025, collected more than 175,000 signatures supporting the tribute.
Popovich attended Friday’s airport authority meeting and spoke in favor of naming the airport for Parton.
The proposal has received support from Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell. The backing represents a rare point of agreement between state and city officials who have been involved in an ongoing dispute over control of Nashville’s airport.
Lee announced August 28 that he had spoken with Parton’s representatives about the idea. Her team expressed appreciation for the public support and said they were open to continuing discussions about the tribute.
“Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state,” Lee said when announcing the proposal. He described the singer as a representative of Tennessee’s volunteer spirit and said the airport would be an appropriate place to honor her music, generosity, faith and kindness.
The airport authority’s naming policy previously required a person to be deceased for at least two years before a facility could be named in that person’s honor. Friday’s action modified the policy to allow the Parton proposal to move forward before that waiting period had expired.
The renaming process could take a year or longer. Officials will need to determine the final name and address changes involving exterior and interior signs, airport branding, legal documents, contracts, leases, uniforms, shuttle buses, merchandise and other materials throughout the facility.
The cost of the project has not been finalized. Airport officials are also expected to work with Parton’s estate on the use of her name and possible licensing or merchandise arrangements.
Parton had previously declined several efforts to honor her with major public landmarks during her lifetime. In 2021, she asked Tennessee lawmakers to withdraw a proposal for a statue of her at the state Capitol, while suggesting that such a tribute could be appropriate years later or after her death.
Parton was born in Sevier County in East Tennessee and became one of the most influential figures in country music. Her career included major hits such as “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You,” along with work in television, film and business.
Her legacy also includes extensive philanthropy. Through the Dollywood Foundation and Imagination Library, Parton helped provide hundreds of millions of free books to children around the world. Her Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge remains one of Tennessee’s major tourism attractions.
Supporters say naming the airport for Parton would recognize her influence on Tennessee’s music industry, tourism economy and international reputation. The move would also make her the first woman to have her name placed on one of the 50 busiest airports in the United States, according to reports.
The airport authority has not announced the final official name or the date when the new branding will be implemented. For now, Nashville International Airport continues operating under its current name and BNA designation while officials work through the renaming process.
Nashville International Airport is located in Davidson County in Middle Tennessee, approximately 10 miles southeast of downtown Nashville. The airport serves Nashville, widely known as “Music City,” and the surrounding Middle Tennessee region.
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