Nashville International Airport could soon be renamed Dolly Parton International Airport, with the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority scheduled to consider the proposal on September 17, 2026. The Metro Council has already unanimously supported the name change.
The proposal follows Dolly Parton’s death on August 25 at age 80 and aims to honor her extraordinary contributions to Tennessee through music, philanthropy and cultural influence. Governor Bill Lee and airport officials have backed the idea, while Parton’s representatives have expressed appreciation and openness to the proposal.
If approved, the airport’s familiar BNA code would remain unchanged, while its public name would become Dolly Parton International Airport. The code continues to honor Col. Harry S. Berry.
The renaming would require changes to airport signage, branding and administrative records, as well as approval from the Federal Aviation Administration. The airport authority’s current naming policy will also need to be addressed as part of the process