Tennessee Governor Wants to Rename Nashville International Airport in Honor of Dolly Parton

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) want to rename Nashville International Airport (BNA) in honor of Dolly Parton, who died last week at the age of 80.

“Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state,” said Lee. “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.”

Lee and MNAA said that the proposal is being supported by the Parton estate. MNAA will officially address the proposal and review its naming policy-which typically requires a two-year waiting period following an individual’s death-at its upcoming meeting on Thursday, Sept. 17.

Parton wouldn’t be the first local legend to have an airport named after her. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is named after the legendary jazz trumpeter, and Liverpool’s main airport is named after Beatles founding member John Lennon. Franz Liszt, Frédéric Chopin, and Bob Hope also have their hometown airports adorned with their names.