The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority Board has decided to rename Nashville International Airport after the late country music star Dolly Parton. This news was reported by WZTV on Friday.
The board voted unanimously on Friday to make this change in honour of the Tennessee-born singer. Dolly Parton passed away on August 25 at the age of 80 after a short fight with cancer.
The decision came after talks about how the name change would affect the airport’s branding and marketing. There were also questions about the cost and who would be responsible for paying it.
Airport officials have not yet shared the exact cost of this project.
A report from 2025 looked at a failed plan to rename the airport Trump International Airport. That report estimated a name change could cost around $10.3 million.
After the board’s approval on Friday, the airport authority will team up with the Dollywood Foundation. They will work on the new name and how to connect the two.
This move follows an earlier suggestion by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. He wanted to rename the airport after Parton after her passing.
The Hill quoted the governor saying, "Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state.
"From her rural mountain home in East Tennessee to global stages, Dolly carried the Volunteer Spirit with her.
"At a place where Tennessee welcomes the world, it is fitting that Nashville International Airport would bear the name of our state’s favourite daughter and greet travellers with the enduring legacy of Dolly’s music, generosity, faith, and kindness."
Parton was born in Sevier County, Tennessee. She was famous for hits like "Jolene" and "9 to 5." She also founded the Dollywood theme park in her home state.
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