Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee is supporting an effort to rename Nashville International Airport in honor of Dolly Parton, creating a potential permanent tribute to one of the state’s most beloved cultural figures. The proposal follows Parton’s death at age 80 on August 25 and has quickly attracted attention from state and local leaders.

Lee and Nashville International Airport announced their support for pursuing the name change on August 28. Lee described Parton as Tennessee’s “favorite daughter” and said the airport would be an appropriate place to honor her music, generosity, faith, and kindness. Airport Authority President and CEO Doug Kreulen has also expressed support for the idea.

Public interest in the proposal has grown dramatically. A Change.org petition launched in January 2025 gained more than 150,000 signatures within days of Parton’s death. Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell has also backed the idea, giving the campaign support from both Republican and Democratic leaders.

However, the proposal faces an important hurdle. The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority’s current naming policy generally requires a person to have been deceased for at least two years before an airport can be named in their honor. The policy also considers an individual’s contributions to aviation in Tennessee. Officials are expected to discuss the proposal at the Airport Authority’s September 17 meeting, while any eventual change would also require coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration.

For now, the airport will continue operating under its current name. Still, with support from Gov. Lee, airport officials, Nashville’s mayor, and thousands of petition supporters, the idea has moved beyond an online campaign and into the official decision-making process. If approved, renaming Nashville’s airport after Dolly Parton would create a lasting tribute to a Tennessee icon whose influence extended far beyond country music.