From a small farm plot to a global hub, Nashville's airport renames for a legend.
In short: Nashville International Airport, known as BNA, has evolved from a 1930s Works Progress Administration project into a massive aviation hub. Following a viral petition, the airport is set to be renamed after country music icon Dolly Parton, marking a unique cultural shift for this major Tennessee transportation landmark.
Established in 1937 as Berry Field, the airport was built on a 340-acre plot of four farms along Dixie Parkway. Its early years were defined by its role as a Works Progress Administration project, costing $1.2 million and serving 189,000 passengers in its first year. During World War II, the military expanded the site to 1,500 acres, using it as a headquarters for the 4th Ferrying Command. By 1962, the airport had gained national attention as the first municipal facility in the United States to host a public library branch inside its terminal.
The airport underwent significant modernization in the 1980s, with a new terminal designed by Robert Lamb Hart opening in 1987. American Airlines established a hub there in 1986 to capture north-south traffic, but the venture struggled and closed in 1995. Southwest Airlines subsequently became the dominant carrier, filling the void left by American. Today, the airport is undergoing massive expansion programs known as BNA Vision and New Horizon, designed to accommodate rapid growth in passenger volume and restore transatlantic service, which returned in 2018 via British Airways.
In 2026, the airport became the subject of a viral Change.org petition following the death of Dolly Parton. The campaign gained 100,000 signatures in a single day, prompting Governor Bill Lee to announce plans for a formal renaming. While the airport authority's policy typically requires a two-year waiting period after a person's death, officials are working with Parton's estate to honor her legacy. On September 11, 2026, voters officially approved the change, cementing the airport's status as a cultural icon for the city.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Nashville International Airport
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