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Nashville Airport Votes Unanimously to Begin Renaming Process in Honor of Dolly Parton:The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority has voted unanimously, 6–0, to begin the process of modifying the name of Nashville International Airport (BNA) in honor of legendary Tennessee icon Dolly Parton.
The unanimous vote represents the first formal step toward creating a lasting tribute to Parton, whose extraordinary career in music, entertainment and philanthropy has made her one of Tennessee’s most internationally recognized figures.
While a final name has not yet been determined, the airport authority said it is working closely with the appropriate parties to thoughtfully determine how Dolly Parton’s name and legacy will be incorporated into the airport’s identity.
“This vote represents the first step in a multifaceted process,” the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority said. Officials expect to share more definitive plans concerning the next steps and implementation in the coming months.
A Lasting Tribute to Dolly Parton
The proposal follows an announcement by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Nashville International Airport expressing their intent to honor Parton. Her team has welcomed the outpouring of support and indicated that they are open to continuing discussions about the proposed tribute.
Parton, born in Sevier County, Tennessee, has built a global legacy spanning music, film, television and business, while her philanthropic work has become an equally important part of her public identity.
Through the Dollywood Foundation and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, she has helped distribute nearly 200 million free books to children in several countries since the program began in 1995.
Community Support
The airport authority expressed gratitude for the “tremendous support and enthusiasm” from the Nashville community and Dolly Parton’s fans around the world.
Officials said they look forward to providing additional details as the plans are finalized.
The proposal would give Nashville’s international gateway a direct connection to one of the state’s most beloved cultural ambassadors. BNA describes itself as the gateway to Music City, and the airport is undergoing a major expansion through its New Horizon program. In 2024, BNA generated an estimated $13.8 billion in economic impact and supported 80,000 jobs, according to an economic impact study cited by the airport.
For now, the 6–0 vote marks the beginning rather than the conclusion of the naming process. The coming months are expected to reveal how Nashville and Tennessee ultimately incorporate Dolly Parton’s name and legacy into one of the state’s most important public gateways.
