Process of renaming Nashville airport in honor of Dolly Parton moves forward after unanimous vote

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV/Gray News) - The Nashville International Airport is one step closer to being renamed after Dolly Parton following a unanimous vote on Friday.

The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority voted 6-0 to begin the process of modifying the airport’s name in honor of Parton.

The effort has been supported by Gov. Bill Lee, Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell and the Metro City Council, as well as the general public. A petition in favor of changing the airport’s name garnered more than 175,000 signatures.

Gov. Bill Lee shared a statement following the authority’s vote, calling it an “important step” to honor Parton.

What the vote means

The decision begins a multifaceted process, with airport officials expecting to share more specific plans in the coming months.

Now the board will begin analyzing the cost and establish a timeline for the name change.

The authority said a final name has not yet been determined and that it will work with appropriate parties to decide how Parton’s name and legacy will be incorporated.

The airport authority’s current naming policy generally says airport properties should be named after people who have been dead for at least two years, meaning the policy may need to be revisited as the process moves forward.

State and local officials support renaming

Several Tennessee officials are in favor of renaming the airport, including Gov. Lee, who announced the renaming plans just days after Parton died.

“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.”

O’Connell also shared his support for the change.

“Dolly was in the process of working with us on a remarkable hotel and museum — SongTeller — that she called her love letter to Nashville. Now it’s our turn to share a love letter to Dolly — by renaming Nashville International Airport to Dolly Parton International Airport in Nashville,” O’Connell said in a statement.

“We’ve been staying in touch with Dolly’s team and family through this difficult process of mourning and are working closely with them on appropriate public recognition.”

Petitioners react to potential BNA name change

Two of the people who started the petition to change the airport’s name said there is no better person than Parton to represent the state of Tennessee.

“We have women all over this country doing incredible things; what better woman to lead that charge than Dolly Parton,” Lydia Popovich said.

“She really represents the best of what Nashvillians and Tennesseans can be. There is no other person who could bring us all together that makes us feel proud,” Dan Dion, another petitioner, said.