Tennessee governor plans to name Nashville airport after Dolly Parton
Thousands of fans have signed an online petition asking the airport to be named after her.
Governor Bill Lee of Tennessee intends to rename Nashville International Airport in honor of Dolly Parton, following the country music icon's passing at age 80 from cancer this week.
This announcement follows a significant online petition, signed by numerous fans, advocating for the airport to be renamed after Parton, a native of rural Tennessee who later relocated to Nashville.
In a statement, Governor Lee confirmed he had communicated with Parton's representatives, who "expressed their appreciation for the extraordinary outpouring of support to honor Dolly."
"Dolly Parton's extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state," Lee remarked.
On Friday, the governor's statement continued, "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."
The online petition, initiated in January 2025, saw a surge in support after her death, accumulating nearly 160,000 signatures by Friday evening.
The petition states that naming the airport after Parton would be "What a wonderful way to share her light and magic across Tennessee and the world."
The BBC has reached out to the Dolly Parton Foundation for comment.
According to the governor's office, the proposed name change would require endorsement from the Metro Nashville Airport Authority board, which is scheduled to convene on September 17 to discuss the matter.
Final approval would also be necessary from the Federal Aviation Administration.
Additionally, a lawmaker recently committed to introducing legislation in the statehouse to rename the airport in Parton's honor.
The United States has a precedent for naming airports after renowned musicians and celebrities, such as Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky.
Parton's illustrious career included 10 Grammy awards and over 100 million records sold globally, featuring hit songs like "Coat of Many Colors," "9 to 5," "Jolene," and "I Will Always Love You."