Overview
- Gov. Bill Lee announced a proposal to rename Nashville International Airport for Dolly Parton on Aug. 28 and said he has spoken with Parton’s team, which expressed appreciation and openness to further talks.
- The Metro Nashville Airport Authority will formally consider the governor’s proposal and its existing naming policy at a Sept. 17 meeting, where the two-year posthumous rule will be central to the discussion.
- A grassroots Change.org petition launched in January 2025 surged after Parton’s death and has drawn more than 150,000 signatures supporting the rename.
- The governor cannot act alone: any change likely needs MNAA board approval and could require state or local legislation, coordination with federal agencies such as the FAA, and payment for rebranding and signage.
- Parton’s deep Tennessee ties and philanthropy, including the Imagination Library and Dollywood, drive local political and public support and make the Sept. 17 decision a key next step to watch for how the state honors her legacy.