Earlier this year, a bill was proposed to rename the Nashville International Airport (BNA) after President Donald Trump, but the proposal was removed in March. During a meeting on March 5th with the Tennessee Naming & Designating Committee, the proposal was voted against by six members of the US Congress while four voted in favor.
According to The Tennessean, Tennessee state Senator Todd Gardenhire of Chattanooga passed a law prohibiting public facilities in Tennessee from being named after current public officials until two years after leaving office. This law also prevents naming after public officials convicted of a felony.
Donald Trump, on January 10th, received 34 felony convictions by a New York state court, ten days before assuming office as the 47th President of the United States. He falsified business documents to hide an extramarital affair. His sentence allowed him to avoid jail time or fines.
The BNA airport media team was opposed to the renaming, choosing to focus on marketing Nashville and the airport globally. “Our airport’s brand and continued success has earned us a place among the fastest-growing airports, attracting significant increases in both domestic and international air service. We have a bright future as the Nashville International Airport, and we remained focused on providing exceptional travel experiences for our community and our passengers.”
News Channel 5 reported that even Trump supporters in Tennessee’s Congress opposed the name change, deeming it inappropriate.
Aviation Pros argued that Nashville International Airport is too small for a presidential name, suggesting larger airports like Chicago O’Hare or Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta would be more appropriate.
Hadley Histon from the Nashville Tennessean noted that renaming the airport after Trump would cost taxpayers over $10 million due to re-branding necessities.
Meanwhile, a petition to rename BNA after Dolly Parton collected over 40,000 signatures, according to WKRN in Nashville. Dolly Parton, a philanthropist and beloved musician, is seen as a fitting namesake by many Tennesseans, including co-organizer Lydia Popovich. Popovich highlighted Parton’s positive influence and connection to Tennessee without opposing any political figure, stating, “Around the world, Dolly Parton is an individual who sparks joy; she’s such a shining, glittering example of the best of what we should be.”
Nashville International Airport, originally named Berry Field, opened in 1937 and serves as a gateway to Nashville and central Tennessee. During World War II, the airport expanded, and a modern terminal arrived in 1961. By the 1970s, further expansion was needed due to the region’s growth.
BNA was an American Airlines hub until 1995. Southwest Airlines then increased its presence, now being the largest carrier at the airport. British Airways reintroduced transatlantic flights in 2018, with Aer Lingus and Icelandair joining soon.
The reasons outlined make preserving the current airport name fitting, with BNA amidst a revitalization expected to finish by the decade’s end. Many prefer to honor political figures post-term completion, regardless of party.
