The town where Dolly Parton grew up is putting her name on its airport, making her moniker official at the facility that serves it.
On Friday, the board of commissioners for the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority made a unanimous decision to rename Nashville International Airport after the late country music star. Every commissioner voted in favor, with the tally standing at 6-0.
The singer’s publicist confirmed her death on Aug. 25, at age 80, after a short fight against cancer. A few days later, on Aug. 28, she was buried privately in Nashville, according to her great-niece Lainey Mae Parton.
The Vote And What Comes Next
The board’s decision begins the process of modifying the airport’s name. The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority said a final name has not yet been determined, noting that it was “working closely with the appropriate parties to thoughtfully determine how Dolly Parton’s name and legacy will be incorporated.”
The MNAA said it would share “more definitive plans” about next steps and implementation “in the coming months.” “We are grateful for the tremendous support and enthusiasm from our community and Dolly’s fans around the world,” the MNAA said. “We look forward to sharing additional details as plans are finalized.”
After a period during which the proposal received widespread backing from the public and from politicians alike, the vote has now been held.
Lee’s Proposal And The Petition Behind It
In a press release, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee said he wants to rename Nashville International Airport after Parton, describing her as “our state’s favorite daughter,” so as to “greet travelers with the enduring legacy of Dolly’s music, generosity, faith, and kindness.”.
In Tennessee, Parton came into the world in January 1946. She relocated to Nashville soon after finishing high school, in 1964, where she established both a prosperous music career and a lasting philanthropic record. There she also met Carl Dean, whom she married and who remained her partner until his death in 2025, one year before Parton’s own passing.
According to the release, Lee’s office spoke with Parton’s team about the airport renaming. Her team was “touched by the idea and open to continuing the conversation,” the release said. “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’s proposal was slated to be addressed at the MNAA’s meeting on Sept. 17.
How The Idea Took Hold
A push to rename the airport in tribute to Parton began in January 2025, after Tennessee residents Lydia Popovich and Dan Dion established a change.org petition seeking to change its name in honor of the singer.
The petition has drawn more than 175,000 signatures since Parton died on Aug. 25.
On Friday, the vote pushed the campaign forward, setting the airport on course to bear her name officially, though final approval of the new title still remains necessary.
The Process Ahead
The MNAA’s statement stresses careful planning, and the authority is collaborating with “appropriate parties” to decide how her name and legacy will be included.
The process ahead involves several steps:
- Determining a final name for the airport
- Working with the appropriate parties to incorporate Parton’s name and legacy
- Sharing more definitive plans about next steps and implementation
- Final approval of the new title
Every member voted in favor, and the petition gathered 175,000 signatures. That combination points to wide support for the project across the area.
The MNAA has committed to delivering “more definitive plans”, and the rest of its promised rollout will depend on how well it follows through in the coming months. The path it has chosen is now clear, even if the final shape of the program is still uncertain.
A woman who helped shape Nashville has received a hometown honor through the vote.