Nashville International Airport is one step closer to carrying the name of the woman who put Tennessee hospitality on the map. The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority board voted 6-0 on Friday, September 11, 2026, to begin the process of renaming the airport in honor of Dolly Parton. The idea isn’t new. A petition to call it Dolly Parton International Airport launched in early 2025, long before her death last month following a short and private battle with cancer.
The support crossed party lines, with Republican Governor Bill Lee and Nashville Democratic Mayor Freddie O’Connell both backing the change. The vote is only the first step in what airport leaders describe as a multifaceted process, and no final name has been settled. That decision will be made jointly with the Dollywood Foundation. Fans also have a two-day DollyFest to look forward to, with celebrations planned for both Nashville and London.
Parton’s impact on the city and the state is hard to measure, but it shows in moments like this, when everyone from travelers to elected officials agrees on something. So we want to hear from you. What should the airport ultimately be called, and what’s your favorite Dolly memory?
About the Author
Ava Hart
Ava Hart is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
