Departin' from Parton: Nashville International Airport to be renamed in Dolly Parton's honour

It's official. The late Dolly Parton will be gaining a new namesake — and it's taking off.

Nashville International Airport in Tennessee is set to be renamed in honour of the celebrated singer, after its board of commissioners voted in favour of the move on Friday.

The idea was first floated last year but gained momentum following Parton's death last month at the age of 80. A social media campaign by fans to rename the airport in honour of the queen of country picked up steam, particularly after Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell and Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee threw their support behind the proposal late last month.

Tennessee intends to rename Nashville airport after Dolly Parton, governor says

"Dolly Parton's extraordinary life is forever woven into the fabric of our state," Lee said in a statement at the time.

"At a place where Tennessee welcomes the world, it is fitting that Nashville International Airport would bear the name of our state's favourite daughter and greet travelers with the enduring legacy of Dolly's music, generosity, faith, and kindness."

Following Friday's decision, Lee said in a statement posted to his X account that it "was an important step to honour her remarkable legacy" as "Dolly has always helped the world fall in love with Tennessee."

He could have been referring to the estimated $1.8 billion and counting that the singer brings into the state each year through her Dollywood theme park.

Or, perhaps, to the fact that she was born in Tennessee — coming into the world on Jan. 19, 1946, in Pittman Center, and growing up in a one-room cabin in nearby Locust Ridge.

The legendary singer would go on to put Tennessee in the global spotlight, appearing at the Grand Ole Opry, Nashville's weekly country music concert at just 13 years old. After high school, she moved to Nashville to pursue a career in music.

There's no word yet on how long the renaming process is expected to take, though the airport's current policy prohibits naming any property after a person who has not been dead for at least two years, the New York Times reported.

The exact name of the airport in Parton's honour has also yet to be selected. However, the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority said in a statement that it was "working closely with the appropriate parties to thoughtfully determine how Dolly Parton's name and legacy will be incorporated."

Kayla McLean is a web journalist with CBC News in Toronto. She grew up in Brampton, Ont., and received her bachelor of arts in media production at Toronto Metropolitan University. Before joining CBC in 2024, she worked as a breaking news reporter at Global News Toronto — covering everything from crime, sports, festivals and politics. She also reported for Global News's current affairs show, The New Reality, covering stories with a focus on racial equality and climate justice. She also previously held positions as a chase producer and writer for CTV News Channel.