Tennessee governor Bill Lee is moving forward with a plan to rename Nashville International Airport in honor of Dolly Parton.
Lee announced the proposal on Friday alongside Nashville International Airport after speaking with Parton’s team, who are reportedly “touched” by the idea. The announcement also comes amid a fan-led petition calling for the airport to be renamed in Parton’s honor, which has amassed more than 150,000 signatures as of Friday afternoon.
“Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state,” Lee said in a statement. “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.”
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The proposal will be considered by the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority during a meeting scheduled for September 17th. State Rep. Todd Warner has also said he plans to introduce legislation to rename the airport.
If the renaming does move forward, it would make it the first international commercial airport in the United States to be named after a woman.
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At a place where Tennessee welcomes the world, it is fitting that BNA would bear @DollyParton’s name.
Today, in partnership with @Fly_Nashville, we announced our intent to honor Tennessee’s favorite daughter and her indelible legacy.
Link: https://t.co/bGBXYqp0d1 pic.twitter.com/Jvf4Em9Amq
— Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) August 28, 2026