It’s only fitting.
In the days since the shocking passing of legendary country singer Dolly Parton, there’s been a renewed effort to rename the Nashville International Airport to honor the Queen of Country Music.
It’s an effort that actually started back in January of 2025, when a petition was launched by Lydia Popovich & Dan Dion of Nashville to rename BNA:
“As proud citizens of Tennessee, we are motivated by our deep-rooted admiration for the national treasure and Tennessee legend, Dolly Parton. She is not only a celebrated artist who encourages love, acceptance, and goodwill through her music, but also a philanthropist, known for her countless contributions to society. It is only fitting that an institution as significant as Nashville International Airport carries the name of such a remarkable woman.”
The airport code BNA refers to the airport’s original name, Berry Field, which was named after Col. Harry S. Berry, Tennessee’s administrator for the Works Progress Administration, who oversaw the airport’s construction in the 1930s.
Last year, Dolly was asked about the effort to rename BNA in her honor, telling Good Morning America that she didn’t believe anybody was serious about it. But following her death on August 25, the petition has so far racked up over 150,000 signatures and has gained support from both state and local officials.
Tennessee state representative Todd Warner, a Republican lawmaker who had previously sponsored legislation to name the airport after President Donald Trump, expressed his intention to introduce a bill to rename the airport after Dolly:
“It will be one of the first bills that I file if someone doesn’t beat me to it in November.”
State senator Mark Pody, a Republican, also expressed his support for the movement, as long as Parton’s family is on board with the effort:
“If I had to name the top five Tennesseans that ever lived, she’d be one of them. I mean, you look at Davy Crockett or Andrew Jackson or the presidents. I would like to wait until a couple months go by, and make sure that the family is comfortable with it. So we don’t do something that is going to offend the people that we’re trying to honor.”
And Metro Nashville city councilman Russ Bradford has also signaled that he plans to push for the council to pass a resolution in support of the name change:
“I think it’s a no-brainer. Dolly helped put Nashville and Tennessee on the map, and she’s so integral to who we are as a state and a city that I think it’s the least we can do to recognize and honor that contribution.”
After some reports that came out this morning that potentially put the airport’s renaming at risk, this afternoon, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee officially announced that the state of Tennessee and Nashville International Airport are officially partnering to change the name in honor of the late legend.
In a press release from the Governor’s office, the state formally announced its intent to name BNA in honor of Dolly Parton. Citing conversations between Lee and Dolly’s team, it noted how excited they are to honor her legacy with the name change.
“Her team expressed their appreciation for the extraordinary outpouring of support to honor Dolly and said they are touched by the idea and open to continuing the conversation. In keeping with the way Dolly lived her life, her team believes she still has a special way of bringing people together for good, and they hope this tribute can be another example of that enduring legacy.”
Lee would comment, noting her long history of charity work throughout her career and calling her Tennessee’s “favorite daughter.”
“Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state. 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.”
Additionally, Doug Kreulen, president and CEO, Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, would also comment. Here, he’d point to her history of kindness and acceptance, calling her spirit a reflection of the airport.
“BNA is the front door to Music City, and with that comes a responsibility to reflect the very best of who we are as a community. Dolly’s remarkable legacy reminds us that what makes Nashville special is our ability to welcome people from every walk of life. She understood that dignity, kindness and opportunity should never be defined by where you come from or your socioeconomic status. At BNA, we share that commitment. Whether you are boarding a private aircraft or taking your first flight, you deserve to be welcomed, respected and served with the same level of care. That spirit is what defines BNA and it is a fitting reflection of the values Dolly shared with Tennessee and the world.”
The Metro Nashville Airport Authority’s (MNAA) current Naming Policy and Gov. Lee’s proposal to rename the airport will be addressed at MNAA’s meeting on Thursday, September 17th, with more details will be announced in the coming weeks.
