Tennessee governor moves to rename Nashville International Airport after Dolly Parton

Republican Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced Friday that his administration and the Nashville International Airport are hoping to rename the airport after the late-country superstar Dolly Parton.

Parton, a Tennessee native, died earlier this week after a short battle with cancer at the age of 80. 

Lee said he has shared his intention to honor the country singer's legacy with her family, who said they were touched by the idea and open to continuing the conversation.

“Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state,” Lee said in a statement. “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," he added.

The timeline for when the name change could take place was not clear, but the governor's office said the Metro Nashville Airport Authority’s current Naming Policy and the proposal to rename the airport will be addressed at its next meeting, on September 17. 

“Dolly’s remarkable legacy reminds us that what makes Nashville special is our ability to welcome people from every walk of life," Doug Kreulen, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, said. "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," he continued. "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.”

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.