Nashville Airport Begins Dolly Parton Renaming Process

The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority voted unanimously, 6-0, to begin the process of renaming Nashville International Airport in honor of the late Tennessee-born country music icon Dolly Parton, who died at age 80; a final name has not been decided. Airport officials will consult with Parton’s estate and other relevant parties while developing an implementation timeline and cost estimate, including administrative work with the Federal Aviation Administration. The board changed its policy requiring people honored by airport properties to have been dead for at least two years, removing a procedural obstacle. The proposal has support from Gov. Bill Lee, Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell and the Metro Council, as well as a petition with more than 175,000 signatures. Officials intend to retain the airport’s BNA code, which refers to Berry Field, its former name. Estimated costs range from several million dollars to about $10.3 million, but no final budget has been announced; new signage and related changes could take six months to a year.