Larisha Paul
Contact Larisha Paul on X View all posts by Larisha Paul September 11, 2026
Dolly Parton performs on Nov. 18, 2023 in Knoxville, TN. Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images All six board members from the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority have voted to rename Nashville International Airport after Dolly Parton. The unanimous decision is the first step in the rebranding process, which will continue to unfold in the coming months, the MNAA said.
“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 state of Tennessee first announced plans to rename the location after Parton died 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.”
Officials hope the act of renaming Nashville International Airport in Parton’s honor will be a lasting tribute to the country legend. The decision came sooner than expected. The proposal wasn’t scheduled to be heard until Sept. 17.
“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, Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority.
