Nashville’s airport board has unanimously approved plans to rename the city’s international airport after late country music star Dolly Parton, although the project’s cost remains undisclosed.
The board overseeing Nashville International Airport has approved plans to rename the facility in honour of late country music star Dolly Parton. The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority Board endorsed the proposal unanimously on Friday, according to Nashville television station WZTV.
Parton, who was born in Tennessee, died on August 25 at the age of 80 after a brief battle with cancer. The approval followed deliberations about the practical and financial implications of changing the airport’s name. Discussions covered possible adjustments to the facility’s branding and marketing materials, as well as questions over who would pay for the exercise. Airport officials have not announced how much the renaming will cost.
However, a 2025 assessment conducted during an unsuccessful attempt to rename the facility to Trump International Airport estimated that a name change could cost approximately $10.3 million. Following the board’s decision, the airport authority is expected to work with the Dollywood Foundation to agree on a new name and determine how the identities of both organisations will be combined.
The proposal received public backing from Tennessee Governor Bill Lee after Parton’s death. Lee had earlier called for Nashville International Airport to be renamed in recognition of the singer’s life and connection to the state. “Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state,” Lee said, according to The Hill.
The governor recalled Parton’s journey from her childhood in rural East Tennessee to international prominence, saying she retained a strong connection to her roots throughout her career. He said an airport that welcomes travellers to Tennessee would be a suitable place to preserve the singer’s legacy, citing her music, generosity, faith and kindness.
Parton was born in Sevier County, Tennessee, and became one of the most recognisable figures in country music. Her popular songs include “Jolene” and “9 to 5.” Beyond her recording career, she founded Dollywood, a theme park located in her home state.
The board’s approval clears the way for the airport authority and the Dollywood Foundation to develop the formal identity that the facility will adopt. Further details about the selected name, implementation timetable and financing have not been announced.