Six board members from the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority have voted unanimously to rename Nashville International Airport after Dolly Parton. The proposal was not scheduled to be heard until Sept. 17.
The vote is the first step in a rebranding process that will continue unfolding in the coming months, according to the MNAA. “While a final name has not yet been determined, we are working closely with the appropriate parties to thoughtfully determine how Dolly Parton’s name and legacy will be incorporated,” the MNAA said in a statement. “This vote represents the first step in a multifaceted process. In the coming months, we anticipate having more definitive plans to share regarding the next steps and implementation.”
The Long Road to This Vote
The move to rename the airport after Parton began more than a year before her death. Two Tennessee natives launched a Change.org petition to make the change, asking that the airport’s name be changed to Dolly Parton International Airport. The petition has received an influx of signatures over the past two weeks.
The state of Tennessee first announced plans to rename the location after Parton following her death in late August. “Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state,” Gov. Bill Lee said in a statement at the time. “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.”
Why Nashville Is Making This Tribute
Parton’s influence runs deep in Music City. Her music shaped the city’s identity. The MNAA’s own statement captured the spirit of the tribute: “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,” said Doug Kreulen, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority.
The airport’s decision comes at a moment when Parton’s name is drawing attention to the city. Renaming the airport in her honor would place her legacy at the front door of the city, greeting travelers from around the world.
The Final Steps Ahead
The MNAA has not settled on a final name yet. That remains the next step in the process, and the authority has committed to working closely with relevant parties to get it right. The coming months will bring more definitive plans, including details on implementation.
The vote itself was a unanimous decision. All six board members supported the motion.
The petition’s original description summed up the case for the change: “Dolly’s philanthropic efforts, her outstanding influence in the music industry, and the love she has instilled in our hearts through her actions and songs, truly make her a deserving candidate to have the Nashville International Airport named after her.” The petitioners asked simply for the name to change to Dolly Parton International Airport.
“Sign the petition to make this change a reality. We could all be Departin’ from Parton!!”
The campaign gained momentum in recent weeks, with supporters flocking to add their names.
A Tribute Years in the Making
This vote is a tribute to a woman whose career spanned decades. Parton built a career on kindness and generosity, and the airport’s decision reflects that legacy.
The decision also closes a chapter in the campaign that began years ago. The petition’s founders can now see their work moving toward realization.
The coming months will determine the final name and how Parton’s legacy is incorporated into the airport’s identity. For now, the vote stands as a unanimous endorsement of a tribute that has been years in the making.
Nashville’s airport will soon bear the name of a woman whose music and spirit have defined the city for generations.
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