by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 2:30 PM ET, Fri September 11, 2026
Only a few weeks following beloved icon and singer Dolly Parton’s death, the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority Board of Commissioners has voted unanimously to rename the Nashville International Airport after Parton.
According to ABC News, the vote was 6-0 and had received prior support from Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and the greater public, who started a petition for the honor that received over 175,000 signatures.
While Governor Lee’s renaming proposal was expected to be discussed on September 17, the board decided to go along with the name change, but that doesn’t mean we’ll see a change just yet. It's also unclear whether the airport's code, BNA, will change.
The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority said in part that it was “working closely with the appropriate parties to thoughtfully determine how Dolly Parton's name and legacy will be incorporated…We are grateful for the tremendous support and enthusiasm from our community and Dolly's fans around the world. We look forward to sharing additional details as plans are finalized.”
It’ll likely take months before the name is decided and the changes are implemented.
Dolly Parton died on August 25 at 80 years old following a cancer diagnosis. She had a private funeral in Nashville for loved ones on August 28. Throughout the city, travelers and residents alike paid tribute to the beloved country singer.
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