Should Nashville’s airport be renamed after Dolly Parton?
Dolly Parton fans can already celebrate the country music icon by visiting the Dollywood theme park in Tennessee, staying at her resorts and lodges or booking a stay in her retired tour bus.
And now, if the close to 50,000 signers of a Change.org petition get their wish, the airport in Tennessee's capital will change its name from Nashville International Airport (BNA) to Dolly Parton International Airport.
"Dolly Parton represents the best of us," a petition signer named Bonnie said. "A true humanitarian, she sets an example for all of us."
Allen, another signer, considers the call for a name change "a cause we can truly all get behind."
Lydia Popovich and Dan Dion — the two Dolly Parton fans who started the petition in January — describe Dolly Parton as a "national treasure" and a Tennessee legend. The petition points out that Parton is not only a celebrated artist "who encourages love, acceptance, and goodwill through her music" but is also a philanthropist "known for her countless contributions to society."
Beyond her "outstanding influence" in the music industry and "the love she has instilled in our hearts through her actions and songs," the petition also cites Parton's creation and support of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program, which has gifted more than 100 million books to children since 1995.
"It is only fitting that an institution as significant as Nashville International Airport carries the name of such a remarkable woman," according to the petition.
Plus, organizers point out that if the petition succeeds, "We could all be 'Departin' from Parton.'" You must admit it does have a catchy ring to it.
An airport with rich culture, already
Nashville International Airport sits about 6 miles southeast of downtown. It was established in 1937 and gets its International Air Transport Association code — BNA — from its original name, Berry Field Nashville, which honored the first airport administrator, Col. Harry S. Berry. The airport's name changed to Nashville International Airport in 1988.
The airport has a robust live music series and a postsecurity cocktails-to-go program; it also recently established a guest pass program to allow nonticketed visitors to enjoy the airport's offerings.
Back in January, when the petition had about 2,600 signers, Parton told The Tennessean that she thought renaming the airport in her honor was "probably more of a joke than anything."
She added that while "[i]t does sound like a lot of fun to say: Your flight is departin' from Nashville's D. Parton," she could not imagine the airport name change "as an actual thing."
Currently, petition co-sponsor Dion describes the campaign efforts as in the "visibility stage, garnering interest and gathering supporters." He said the petition is encouraging people to reach out to specific representatives, "but we're not currently trying to pin them down for a comment or requesting specific legislative action."
Mixed results renaming airports
This isn't the first attempt to rename Nashville's airport.
In mid-March, a bill to rename BNA after President Donald Trump was voted down by a bipartisan vote in the Tennessee House of Representatives.
When asked about the proposed Dolly Parton name change, officials at the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority responded via email that the airport's current name — Nashville International Airport — is a "globally recognized brand with a reputation that extends around the world" and that the facility has "a bright future as the Nashville International Airport."
While a campaign to rename Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) after TV pioneer and children's entertainer Fred Rogers went nowhere, efforts to rename other airports for celebrities have succeeded.
California's Orange County Airport (SNA) was renamed John Wayne Airport (SNA) in 1979 in honor of the movie star and area resident.
In 2000, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors voted to change the name of California's Sonoma County Airport (STS) to Charles M. Schulz—Sonoma County Airport (STS) to honor the local resident and famous cartoonist who brought the world the beloved "Peanuts" comic strip.
In 2001, New Orleans International Airport (MSY) changed to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) in honor of the native-born musician's 100th birthday.
Louisville International Airport (SDF), which was once Standiford Field, changed to Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) in 2019 to honor the boxing champion and activist who was born in the city.
Across the pond, Liverpool Airport (LBL), originally Speke Airport, became the first U.K. airport to be named after an individual when it changed its name in 2001 to Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL) to honor the famous Beatle.
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