Full Breakdown
Dolly Parton International Airport? Tennessee Moves to Rename Nashville’s BNA
8/29/2026, 3:48:52 AM
Core Event
On August 28, 2026, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) announced their intent to rename Nashville International Airport (BNA) after Dolly Parton. The proposal follows Parton’s death on August 25, 2026 and will be considered at the MNAA board meeting scheduled for September 17, 2026.
Background & Context
A Change.org petition launched in January 2025 called for “Dolly Parton International Airport.” Signatures surged after Parton’s death, reaching between 150,000 and 160,000. An earlier 2025 bill to rename the airport for President Donald Trump was withdrawn after backlash, leaving the Parton proposal as the primary focus.
Timeline
- January 2025 – Petition created.
- August 25, 2026 – Dolly Parton dies at age 80.
- August 28, 2026 – Gov. Lee and MNAA announce intent to rename BNA; a banner-towing plane flies over the State Capitol.
- September 17, 2026 – MNAA board scheduled to discuss the naming policy and Lee’s proposal.
Data & Statistics
- The 2024 InterVISTAS Economic Impact Study reported BNA generated $13.8 billion in economic impact, supported 80,000 jobs, and contributed $2.1 billion in taxes.
- A 2025 internal analysis estimated the rebranding cost at $10.34 million.
- Petition signatures reported range from 150,000 to 160,000 as of the August 28 announcement.
Official Statements & Responses
Lee’s office said Parton’s representatives appreciate the public outpouring and are “open to continuing the conversation.”
Doug Kreulen, MNAA president and CEO, noted that Parton’s legacy aligns with BNA’s role as a community gateway.
Mark Ezell, Tennessee Department of Tourism commissioner, called Parton “tourism’s first lady” and said her name would reinforce the state’s global image.
The MNAA naming policy, adopted in 2010 and updated in 2024, requires an individual to be deceased for at least two years and to have made a “substantial personal contribution” to the airport or aviation in Middle Tennessee. The policy will be reviewed at the September 17 meeting.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Petition signature counts differ: CBS News cited “more than 157,000,” the BBC reported “nearly 160,000,” while the governor’s office referenced “over 150,000.” No outlet provided official verification.
The “substantial personal contribution” clause has not been publicly defined, leaving uncertainty about whether Parton’s philanthropic work qualifies. No timeline for a possible airport-code change (BNA to DNA) has been disclosed; the DNA code is already assigned to Doña Ana County International Jetport in New Mexico.
On-the-Ground Reports
Travelers interviewed at BNA after the announcement expressed enthusiasm. Petition organizers Lydia Popovich and Dan Dion described the surge in support as “overwhelming joy and emotion” and highlighted the symbolic value of an airport named for a figure who “brings people together for good.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “BNA® is the front door to Music City, and with that comes a responsibility to reflect the very best of who we are as a community,” — Doug Kreulen, president and CEO
- “I’m proud to sponsor a resolution asking the Metro Nashville Airport Authority to consider renaming BNA to Dolly Parton International Airport,” — Russ Bradford, Metro Councilmember
- “A person that loved and accepted everybody, and what better place than an airport, right, that everybody's coming into,” — Dan Dion, petition organizer
