Tennessee Moves To Rename Nashville Airport After Dolly Parton

Republican Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced Friday that the state plans to rename Nashville International Airport after country music icon Dolly Parton, calling the move a lasting tribute to her “indelible legacy” and the generations of people she inspired across Tennessee and around the world.

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Lee said he spoke with Parton’s team about the proposal this week. According to the governor, Dolly’s team expressed appreciation for the “extraordinary outpouring” of support to honor Parton and said they were touched by the idea.

Based in the heart of Music City, BNA is one of America’s fastest-growing airports and welcomed a record 26.7 million passengers during the last fiscal year. An online petition calling for the airport to be renamed after Parton’s passing has amassed more than 150,000 signatures.

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

Parton died Tuesday following a “brief battle with cancer,” her representatives revealed, as fans gathered outside her Nashville home to mourn the loss of one of country music’s most beloved stars.

Born in Sevier County, Parton became a global icon whose music, wit, philanthropy, and unmistakable voice reflected the heart and soul of the Volunteer State. The Tennessee-born singer was hospitalized on Friday and died four days later at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, The Daily Wire reported.

Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, confirmed her death in an Instagram video. “But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light, and is in the arms of Jesus,” Seaver said.

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Parton’s death followed a period of growing health concerns. Fans were alarmed in September 2025 when she postponed a scheduled six-night Las Vegas residency at Caesars Palace. True to form, Parton eased the disappointment with humor, joking that she needed a “100,000-mile check-up” — and clarifying that it didn’t involve her plastic surgeon.

Four days before her death, she opened up to PEOPLE about her recent health struggles. 

“I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over [her late husband] Carl,” Parton told the outlet.

President Donald Trump also ordered American flags flown at half-staff nationwide for one week beginning Tuesday evening in honor of the Queen of Country Music.

The Metro Nashville Airport Authority is set to consider both its naming policy and the proposal at its Sept. 17 meeting, local outlet WSMV reported.

“It’s only right that Tennessee’s largest and busiest commercial airport, @Fly_Nashville, be named after someone so emblematic of Tennessee—hospitable, joyous, generous—the one and only, Dolly Parton,” Tennessee Sen. Bill Hagerty said on X.

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