BNA airport news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and BNA announced plans to rename Nashville International Airport after Dolly Parton. The change honors her legacy but faces a two-year wait due to airport policy.
Background
Dolly Parton, the iconic country singer and Tennessee native, passed away recently, sparking renewed public interest in renaming Nashville International Airport (BNA) in her honor. A Change.org petition had been circulating for over a year, initially as an alternative to a proposal to name the airport after President Donald Trump. Following her death, the petition surged, amassing over 100,000 additional signatures within 48 hours. The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority has a policy requiring individuals to be deceased for at least two years before naming airport property after them, making 2028 the earliest possible renaming.
How it unfolded
- Aug 25, 2026Dolly Parton dies at age 80; a petition to rename BNA after her gains renewed attention, surpassing 54,000 signatures.
- Aug 26, 2026Petition continues to gain traction, with Tennessee state Rep. Todd Warner vowing to introduce legislation for the renaming.
- Aug 27, 2026Metro Councilmember Russ Bradford announces plans to introduce a resolution supporting the renaming, though airport policy requires a two-year wait.
- Aug 28, 2026Gov. Bill Lee and BNA officially announce a partnership to name the airport in honor of Dolly Parton.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Gov. Bill Lee and BNA announced their intent to name the airport in honor of Dolly Parton, calling it a fitting tribute to her legacy.
- Public
- A Change.org petition supporting the renaming surged past 100,000 signatures within 48 hours of Parton's death.
- Support
- State Rep. Todd Warner and Metro Councilmember Russ Bradford expressed support, with Warner vowing to introduce legislation.
- Caution
- Airport policy requires a two-year waiting period after death before naming property, so the change cannot occur before 2028.
Still unverified
The exact number of petition signatures at the time of the announcement is not confirmed; reports vary between 54,000 and over 100,000 additional signatures after her death.