Latest news with #TrumpInternationalAirport
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill to rename Nashville airport after President Trump could face turbulence amid lawsuit
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — President Donald Trump's name could have a permanent place at Nashville's airport thanks to a bill filed in January, but if it passes, it could face additional roadblocks. Republican Rep. Todd Warner (R- Chapel Hill) filed the bill to rename the Nashville International Airport to Trump International Airport. The airport is currently known as BNA in honor of World War I veteran Col. Harry S. Berry, who helped found the airport in 1937. TN Democrats seek to protect federal benefits distribution with the 'STOP ELON' Act 'As only the second president in U.S. history to be elected to non-consecutive terms, renaming Tennessee's largest airport to Trump International is wonderful way to honor Donald Trump's legacy and the positive impact he's had on our nation,' Rep. Todd Warner told News 2 in a statement. Should the bill pass, the Nashville Airport Authority would be required to 'erect suitable signs or affix suitable markers designating the airport as the 'Trump International Airport' and to take other appropriate actions to recognize this designation in accordance with this section,' according to the proposed legislation. Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) pointed out there are similar efforts in Washington D.C. 'I think there are people in Congress looking to rename Dulles to Donald J. Trump Airport,' Sexton said. 'I don't think you can have two airports named for him. I don't think that works, so I think we need to talk to Congress to see if that's the route they're wanting to go, and then we'll figure it out later.' COVID vaccine skeptics could request blood from unvaccinated donors under Tennessee bill There could be more turbulence in renaming BNA if the bill passes due to a lawsuit over a 2023 state law that replaced the mayor-appointed airport authority board with a new board, which was mainly appointed by the state. 'While that's in litigation, I think there's still a question as to who can rename the airport,' House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland) said. Nashville sued Tennessee over the law shortly after it passed, claiming it violated Home Rule because the legislation only impacted Nashville. A three-judge panel sided with the city and struck down the law. However, the state is trying to appeal the ruling to regain control over the airport. 'We've been very clear that the airport is a regional airport; there is state interest in that airport and significant investment on the part of every Tennessean, and we've gone down that road to try to have more state investment and activity with the airport board and everything else, but that's still wrapped up in litigation, so while that's in litigation it's pretty tough for us to make the decision,' Lamberth explained. When News 2 asked a spokesperson for BNA about the cost of renaming the airport, they made us file a public records request for the information, which BNA will have seven business days to respond to. BNA provided News 2 with the following statement: 'The Nashville International Airport® (BNA®) is a globally recognized brand with a reputation that extends across the world. 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.' Nashville International Airport The bill's sponsor in the Senate is Sen. Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald). If the bill passes, it would go into effect Jan. 1, 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
07-02-2025
- Business
- USA Today
How much would it cost to rename Nashville International Airport after Trump? BNA answers
Hear this story AI-assisted summary A Tennessee legislator proposed renaming the Nashville International Airport to Trump International Airport. The Metro Nashville Airport Authority estimates the total cost of rebranding the airport at $10.34 million. The bill proposing the name change does not specify if the state would provide funding for the renaming. Days before President Donald Trump's inauguration last month, a Tennessee legislator filed a bill proposing to rename the Nashville International Airport to Trump International Airport. While some residents weren't sure whether to take the suggestion seriously, airport leadership did. The Metro Nashville Airport Authority, BNA's governing board, assessed exactly what would go into rebranding the airport and estimated a total cost of $10.34 million. The MNAA provided the assessment and details about the potential rebranding to the state. The analysis found that costs would include new signage across the entire 4,500-acre property, a replacement for the 40-foot-tall BNA monument, updated BNA Shop merchandise, shuttle bus decals, uniforms, business cards and the initial price tag to ammend hundreds of legal contracts, leases and other government documents. What it doesn't include is the potential costs of legal obstacles from prior rights holders, objections from the United States Patent and Trademark Office or state and federal costs related to signage and markers. The total $10.34 million cost breaks down to: Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. $3.59 million for infrastructure and signage $2.22 million for branding $2.28 for trademark and legal costs $2.25 million for administration and operational costs The fee may seem like an exorbitant amount of money, but it's just a fraction of what the airport is spending on regular upgrades in its ongoing expansion. The BNA board recently approved a $1.3 billion redevelopment project called New Horizon II, bringing total construction costs since 2017 to $4.49 billion. Forthcoming road improvements will cost $300 million. The bill proposing the name change does not clarify whether the state would contribute funding to the renaming. It seeks to direct the Airport Authority board "to erect suitable signs or affix suitable markers designating the airport as the 'Trump International Airport.'" The legislation also specifies that the airport would need to amend any and all trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. However, should the bill pass, it would allow the airport an unspecified "transition period" to continue operations under the current name, as long as it designates that it is "doing business as Trump International Airport." Rep. Todd Warner, R-Chapel Hill, is the sponsor of the legislation. After he introduced the bill in the Tennessee House of Representatives, Rep. Tim Rudd, R-Murfreesboro, Rep. Michele Reneau, R-Signal Mountain, and Rep. Monty Fritts, R-Kingston, co-signed it. Sen. Joey Hensley, R-Hohenwald, sponsored the Senate bill. Hadley Hitson covers business news for The Tennessean. She can be reached at hhitson@ To support her work, subscribe to The Tennessean.
USA Today
28-01-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Should Nashville's airport be renamed for Trump or Dolly Parton? Tell us here.
Opinion Staff Nashville Tennessean Two Tennessee lawmakers have proposed renaming Nashville International Airport as Trump International Airport. Rep. Todd Warner, R-Chapel Hill, and Sen. Joey Hensley, R-Howenwald, sponsored House Bill 217/Senate Bill 265 to make that change in honor of the 47th President. They don't specifically name Nashville, but apply the name change to "a county having a metropolitan form of government with a population of more than five hundred thousand (500,000)." The only county in Tennessee meeting those specifications is Nashville-Davidson County. Nashville International, previously known as Berry Field Nashville Airport (hence, its BNA designation), was founded in 1937 and named after its founder, Col. Harry S. Berry, a Tennessean with deep ties to the state. Trump does not have Tennessee ties, rather he has claimed residency at first in New York and now in Florida. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. A petition is now circulating to rename BNA as Dolly Parton Intertational Airport in honor of the iconic singer, songwriter and philanthropist who was born and raised in East Tennessee and had deep ties to Nashville. Opinion:Tennessee lawmakers should not dare rename BNA as Trump International Airport Take our poll below to tell us if you would prefer BNA be renamed for Trump, Dolly or someone else. Or maybe you're find the current name. Send any feedback or comments to Opinion and Engagement Director David Plazas at dplazas@
