A grassroots effort to rename Nashville International Airport (BNA) after Dolly Parton gained significant momentum today, as a supporting petition reached 6,000 signatures. Many airports across the United States are named in honor of notable figures, such as John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York and Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY) in New Orleans.
There has been a push from Tennessee's legislature to rename the facility for some time now. A recent proposal to name the airport after President Donald Trump failed to gain much traction. Given Nashville's reputation as a hub for country music, naming the airport after a music icon seems fitting. This led two Tennessee natives, Dan Dion and Lydia Popovich, to launch an online petition advocating for Dolly Parton.
Airports are often named ceremonially for cultural icons or leaders with local ties. For instance, Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) was named after Edward Lawrence Logan, a South Boston native and war hero. The movement to rename Nashville Airport after Donald Trump struggled due to his lack of local impact.