Tennessee state leaders and aviation officials announced on Friday a formal proposal to rename Nashville International Airport in memory of legendary country singer and philanthropist Dolly Parton, following her death earlier in the week at age 80 after a brief battle with cancer.

The joint statement from Republican Governor Bill Lee and the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority marks a major step toward honoring the global icon at the state’s central air gateway, which currently operates under the airport code BNA.

State Leaders Back Airport Rename for Music Legend

Governor Bill Lee revealed that state officials reached out directly to Parton’s representative team this week to present the renaming proposal. According to a joint announcement reported by Fox News, Parton’s team expressed appreciation for the support and remains open to continuing conversations about the project.

Lee praised her lifelong connection to the state in his public statement. “Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state,” Lee said, as quoted by Fox News and The Hill. He noted that it is fitting for Tennessee’s primary international hub to welcome world travelers under her name.

How the grassroots movement gained momentum

The government’s announcement comes after a massive surge in public backing. Fox News reported that an online petition on Change.org created by Lydia Popovich and Dan Dion collected 155,501 verified signatures. The organizers had originally started the campaign in January 2025 to honor Parton’s broader cultural and charitable contributions.

Following Parton’s death on Tuesday, tens of thousands of additional supporters added their names to the petition. In response to the campaign, Tennessee State Representative Todd Warner confirmed on the petition page that he intends to introduce formal state legislation to rename the facility Dolly Parton International Airport.

What changes for travelers and local residents

For everyday travelers, flight booking codes like BNA generally remain unchanged during facility renamings to prevent global air traffic confusion. However, visitors entering the hub will experience updated entrance monument signs, terminal branding, and directional highway markers surrounding the Nashville facility.

The change will directly impact millions of passengers using the primary gateway to Music City each year. Federal and local agencies will need to coordinate graphic redesigns, public transit map updates, and official digital travel directories to reflect the new designation once all legal steps conclude.

What agencies and officials are involved

The project involves multiple layers of government approval and corporate coordination. The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority oversees local ground operations and terminal infrastructure, while Tennessee state lawmakers handle naming legislation at the state level.

Federal agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration, coordinate administrative adjustments to aviation registries. U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., spoke in favor of the effort during media appearances cited by Fox News, emphasizing Parton’s enduring economic impact and cultural legacy across the region.

Global streaming surge and philanthropic impact

Public focus on Parton’s legacy extended well beyond air travel following her passing. CBS News reported that in the days after her death, Parton became the most-streamed musical artist in the world across major digital listening services.

Commentators and petition organizers highlighted that her legacy reaches far past her country music catalog. Her global literacy campaign, the Imagination Library, has mailed millions of free books to young children worldwide since its creation, solidifying her reputation as a major global benefactor.

What steps remain before the change is official

State officials have not yet set a final timeline or target date for the official renaming ceremony. Formal administrative work will proceed once the Tennessee General Assembly evaluates Representative Warner’s proposed bill and state authorities reach final agreements with Parton’s estate.

Until legislative sessions wrap up and airport commissioners ratify the naming agreement, the facility continues to operate under its standard administrative title. Further announcements regarding architectural updates and timeline specifics are expected from the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority in the coming weeks.