Dolly Parton’s name may soon welcome the world to Music City | Music City Minute
Sep 3, 2026, 2:04 PM | Updated: 2:05 pm
Imagine you’re aboard a plane, minutes from landing. You buckle up, return your tray table and gather your belongings. Then the captain’s voice crackles over the intercom, “Welcome to Dolly Parton International Airport.”
That could soon be a reality. A Change.org petition launched in January 2025 to rename Nashville International Airport after the country music icon has surged past 170,000 signatures. Naturally, the campaign gained new momentum following Parton’s tragic passing on August 25. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and airport leaders now support creating a lasting tribute in her honor, and Parton’s team says it is touched by the idea and open to continuing the conversation. Additionally, her team believes she still has a special way of bringing people together for good, and they hope this tribute can be another example of that enduring legacy. Next stop: the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority will discuss the proposal on September 17. If approved, the change would still require additional federal steps before a confirmation and official adoption can occur.
