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Nashville Airport to be renamed in honor of Dolly Parton
The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority has voted unanimously (6-0) to begin the formal process of renaming Nashville International Airport in honor of the late country music icon Dolly Parton. The decision, which received bipartisan support from Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell, marks a significant tribute to the singer following her death on August 25 at age 80.
If finalized, Parton would become the first woman to have her name attached to one of the 50 busiest airports in the United States. While a specific name has not yet been officially determined, authorities are working with the Dollywood Foundation to decide how her legacy will be incorporated. The process may take a year or longer and requires approval from the Federal Aviation Administration.
The initiative follows a long-standing public desire to honor the artist, including a 2025 petition that garnered over 175,000 signatures. To expedite the renaming, the board moved to make an exception to existing policies that typically require a two-year waiting period after an individual's death before a facility can be named in their honor.
Entities
Bill Lee · Dolly Parton · Dollywood Foundation · Freddie O'Connell · Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority · Nashville International Airport · Tennessee
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Dolly Parton passed away on August 25. es.euronews.com · fr.euronews.com · www.euronews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The final name will be determined jointly by airport management and the Dollywood Foundation. es.euronews.com · fr.euronews.com · www.euronews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The renaming process could take one year or longer to complete. es.euronews.com · fr.euronews.com · www.euronews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The decision received bipartisan support from Republican state officials and Democratic city officials. es.euronews.com · fr.euronews.com · www.euronews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The vote is considered the first step in a multi-phase process. es.euronews.com · fr.euronews.com · www.euronews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Dolly Parton would become the first woman to have a name on one of the 50 busiest airports in the United States. es.euronews.com · fr.euronews.com · www.euronews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority board of commissioners voted 6-0 to initiate the process of renaming the airport. es.euronews.com · fr.euronews.com · www.euronews.com