Nashville International Airport is slated for a name change to honor Tennessee native Dolly Parton, following a unanimous vote by the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority. This move would make Parton the first woman to have her name associated with one of America’s 50 busiest airports.
The renaming process could take over a year and will involve collaboration with Parton's estate to discuss aspects such as potential profit-sharing from merchandise.
The decision comes amidst a period of bipartisan agreement on the airport’s future, a notable departure from ongoing disputes over control between the state-run and city-controlled airport authorities. This bifurcated regulatory system was established in 2023 due to partisan disagreements between the Republican-controlled state government and the Democratic-controlled city government.
Despite these political tensions, both Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell and the city-controlled Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority have expressed support for the name change. Alex Apple, a spokesperson for O’Connell, confirmed that the Federal Aviation Administration would receive approval votes from both governing bodies.
Stuart McWhorter, a member of the state-controlled board, acknowledged the political friction, suggesting that the spirit of Parton could inspire cooperation to move beyond litigation.
Parton, born in the Great Smoky Mountains, rose from humble beginnings to become a globally recognized figure. Beyond her successful music career, which includes hits like "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You," she has also achieved recognition as an actress in films such as "9 to 5" and "Steel Magnolias."
Previously, Parton had declined similar honors, including a 2021 legislative proposal for a statue on the state Capitol grounds. She expressed a willingness for such recognition to occur at a later time, potentially after her passing. The recent push for the airport renaming gained significant traction after Parton's death two weeks prior, with a fan petition garnering over 175,000 signatures.