Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Nashville International Airport officials announced Friday a proposal to rename the airport in honor of the late Dolly Parton, following an outpouring of public support. The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority is scheduled to discuss the renaming on September 17.
The initiative follows Parton’s death on Tuesday at age 80 after a brief battle with cancer. A Change.org petition calling for the airport to be named the Dolly Parton International Airport has gathered over 160,000 signatures since her passing. The petition had been active for over a year but saw a surge in support after her death.
Gov. Lee stated in a press release that Parton’s life exemplified the values the airport seeks to promote. “Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state,” Lee said. “From her rural mountain home in East Tennessee to global stages, Dolly carried the Volunteer Spirit with her.” He added that naming the airport after her would honor her legacy of music, generosity, faith, and kindness.
The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority CEO Doug Kreulen echoed this sentiment, noting that Parton’s life reflected the dignity, kindness, and opportunity the airport aims to foster. Lee confirmed he had spoken with Parton’s team about the proposal, and her representatives expressed appreciation for the gesture, calling it a potential example of her enduring legacy of bringing people together.
The proposal would require a review of the airport’s naming policy, which currently mandates that airport properties be named only after individuals who have been deceased for at least two years. The policy was not designed to exclude Parton, but the timing of her death may necessitate a reconsideration of the rule.
Parton, born in poverty in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, became a global icon through her music, philanthropy, and film career. Hits such as “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You,” and “9 to 5” defined her career, while her acting roles in films like “Steel Magnolias” expanded her influence. She was also known for her extensive charitable work, including her Imagination Library initiative, which provides free books to children.
The Nashville International Airport already celebrates the city’s musical heritage through exhibits and performances, including ties to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the Grand Ole Opry. Other U.S. airports named after cultural figures include Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California.
The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority has not yet confirmed whether the naming policy will be adjusted to accommodate the proposal. The decision will be made during the September 17 meeting.