Nashville International Airport, known by its longtime code BNA, is set to be renamed in honor of Dolly Parton, the beloved East Tennessee country music starwhodied Aug. 25following a brief battle with cancer.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Nashville International Airport officials announced Aug. 28 their intention to rename the airport after the legendary singer, songwriter, businesswoman and philanthropist.
"Gov. Lee spoke with Dolly’s team about the proposal this week," Lee's office said in a statement. "Her team expressed their appreciation for the extraordinary outpouring of support to honor Dolly and said they are touched by the idea and open to continuing the conversation."
However, the push to rename the airport began well before Parton's
death.
An online petition, launched in January 2025, that called for Nashville International Airport to bear Parton's name resurfaced after her death. As of Aug. 31, 2026, the petition had collected more than 170,000 signatures.
Could the name change also signal a change to the airport code?
BNA has identified Nashville's airport for decades, surviving the transition from Berry Field to Nashville International Airport in 1988. Because airport codes are tied to global aviation systems, changing one can be far more complicated than changing an airport's name.
Here's what to know about whether BNA could become something new.
What does BNA stand for?
BNA stands for Berry Field Nashville.
The airport code comes from the airport’s original name, Berry Field, which was named in honor of Col. Harry S. Berry, a World War I veteran and Tennessee administrator for the Works Progress Administration (WPA).
Who was Harry S. Berry?
Berry was a Tennessee military leader and aviation advocate who played a key role in establishing Nashville's first airport, according to bradfordberry.org.
A West Point graduate and veteran of both World War I and World War II, Berry rose through the ranks of the Tennessee National Guard and earned the Legion of Merit for his military service. In 1928, he helped establish Nashville's first airfield, which later became Berry Field, the city's primary airport.
How are airport codes assigned?
Airport codes are assigned by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The three-letter codes travelers see on tickets and baggage tags are typically based on an airport's name, its city or another identifying feature, according to Conde Nast Traveler.
Before a code is assigned, officials must ensure it is not already in use by another airport or organization.
The system dates back to the early days of commercial aviation. In the 1930s, airlines often used their own two-letter identifiers, but as air travel expanded, the industry transitioned to the three-letter code system still used today. As a result, some airports received codes that match their current names, while others retained historic identifiers tied to former airport names or local landmarks.
Will BNA change after the airport is renamed for Dolly Parton?
It's unclear whether the Nashville airport code will change following the decision to rename the airport after the country music icon and philanthropist, as airport code changes are rare and often difficult to implement.
When the airport was renamed to Nashville International Airport in the 1980s, the code remained BNA.
According to AirportPin.com, changing an airport code can be a complex process. The three-letter airport codes are woven into global aviation systems used for ticketing, baggage handling, flight scheduling, navigation and airport operations. Changing a code would create logistical challenges and potential confusion for airlines and travelers.
What is the process for changing an airport's code?
Changing an airport's code is possible, but it is rare. According to the IATA, airport codes are designed to be unique and are generally considered permanent once they become embedded in aviation systems worldwide.
"Assigned three-letter location identifiers are considered permanent and are almost never changed and then only with strong justification, primarily concerning air safety," wrote the IATA.
Recent airport renamings show that a new name does not always lead to a new airport code.
Memphis International Airport was recently renamed Frederick W. Smith International Airport in honor of the late FedEx founder.
However, the airport's three-letter identifier, MEM, remains unchanged. According to The Commercial Appeal, the new airport name has begun appearing in select federal databases, aeronautical charts and flight plans, while the MEM code continues to be used throughout the aviation system.
Palm Beach International Airport, however, took a different approach.
After the airport was renamed for President Donald Trump in July, its International Air Transport Association (IATA) code was changed to DJT on Aug. 18. Travelers now use DJT when searching for the airport and booking airline reservations.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the International Civil Aviation Organization also updated their airport identifiers to DJT.
Contributing: USA TODAY, The Commercial Appeal
Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: If Nashville airport is renamed for Dolly Parton, will the BNA code change?
