Country music icon Dolly Parton sadly passed away on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80. She is a true legend who was cherished by many, significantly influencing the country music industry and dedicating countless resources to support those in need. A significant initiative is now underway to commemorate her at the airport that celebrates country music.
## Initiative to rename Nashville Airport after Dolly Parton
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Nashville International Airport (BNA) have [declared their intention](https://www.tn.gov/governor/news/2026/8/28/gov–lee-announces-partnership-to-name-nashville-international-airport-in-honor-of-dolly-parton.html) to rename the airport in Dolly Parton’s honor, establishing a permanent tribute to her legacy and the lives she touched across Tennessee and beyond.
Reports indicate that Lee has engaged Dolly’s team regarding this initiative, and they “expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support to honor Dolly and mentioned they are moved by the concept and open to further discussions.” The Metro Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) will examine this proposal on September 17, 2026.
As anticipated, there remains considerable work to accomplish before this can proceed. In addition to receiving formal approval from the MNAA, it would likely require some manner of licensing agreement between the airport and Parton’s team.
Moreover, discussions are underway about possibly changing the airport code to “DPI,” standing for “Dolly Parton International.” Currently, Nashville Airport operates under the code “BNA,” a designation stemming from its opening in 1937 when it was known as Berry Field Nashville. At that time, the airfield was named in tribute to Colonel Harry Berry, the Tennessee administrator of the Works Progress Administration (WPA), who played a pivotal role in establishing the facility.
Here’s what Doug Krulen, CEO of the MNAA, shared regarding this initiative:
> “BNA serves as the entry point to Music City, and this brings with it a responsibility to embody the finest aspects of our community. Dolly’s extraordinary legacy serves as a reminder that Nashville’s uniqueness lies in our ability to welcome individuals from all walks of life. She recognized that dignity, kindness, and opportunity should never be dictated by one’s background or financial standing. At BNA, we embrace that commitment. Whether you are boarding a private jet or embarking on your inaugural flight, you deserve to be greeted, appreciated, and served with equal care. That ethos is what characterizes BNA and reflects the principles Dolly shared with Tennessee and the globe.”
## While I’m not generally supportive of naming airports after individuals, I must say…
As I have noted previously, I am not typically in favor of naming airports after individuals, particularly when the individual’s name overshadows the location itself. I have a particular aversion to renaming airports in honor of politicians, who are often contentious figures and may not be favored by at least half the population.
This is not merely a partisan stance due to [Palm Beach Airport being recently named after Donald Trump](https://onemileatatime.com/news/palm-beach-airport-president-trump/). My perspective was the same when [Las Vegas Airport was named after Harry Reid](https://onemileatatime.com/news/las-vegas-airport-harry-reid/). However, as I have expressed before:
> It’s one thing to name an airport after someone most people can agree on, but naming one after a politician tends to be divisive.
To be fair to Dolly Parton, she certainly belongs to the former group. We find ourselves in a time of significant division, and she is one of the few highly visible individuals that many people can unanimously appreciate. I noticed that (ignoring the commentary) she holds some of the highest “favorability” ratings among both Republicans and Democrats, which is quite impressive. And yes, poor Mark Zuckerberg (well, not really, but…).
In terms of naming airports after individuals, I cannot think of anyone in the United States who would command such widespread agreement across diverse groups. You would have to be in North Korea to find such extraordinary approval ratings. 😉
## Conclusion
A proposal has been set forth to rename Nashville International Airport after Dolly Parton, reflecting her influence on the country music landscape. While nothing has been officially settled yet, the Tennessee governor and airport authority support this idea and are in talks with her team. Should the renaming take place, anticipate a modification to the airport code, with “DPI” leading the charge.