Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Nashville International Airport (BNA) have announced plans to rename the airport in honour of Dolly Parton.
The proposal was discussed with Parton’s team this week, according to the announcement. Her representatives said they appreciated the public support for recognising her and were open to continuing discussions about the proposal.
Lee said naming the airport after Parton would recognise her connection to Tennessee and her contribution to the state.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee said:Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state,” said Gov. Lee. “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 was born in Sevier County, Tennessee, and has also been involved in charitable and literacy initiatives through The Dollywood Foundation and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
The Imagination Library, launched in 1995, distributes books to children from birth to the age of five. The programme has provided nearly 200 million books across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and the Republic of Ireland.
Doug Kreulen, President and CEO of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA), said: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 MNAA is expected to discuss the proposal and the airport’s current naming policy at its meeting on 17 September. Further details are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Nashville International Airport is currently undergoing expansion through its New Horizon programme. According to an InterVISTAS Consulting economic impact study, BNA generated an estimated 13.8 billion USD in total economic impact in 2024 and supported 80,000 jobs.
