Tennessee to Take Over Nashville Airport Authority – The Tennessee Tribune

Tennessee to Take Over Nashville Airport Authority  The Tennessee Tribune

NASHVILLE, TN — Metro Nashville has lost a major legal battle over control of Nashville International Airport after the Tennessee Supreme Court dismissed the city’s challenge to a state law restructuring the airport authority’s governing board. The Nov. 2 decision removes an earlier court ruling that had blocked the state’s first attempt to take control, giving state officials a clearer path to influence the operation of one of Tennessee’s busiest economic assets. The dispute centers on the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, which operates Nashville International Airport, known as BNA, and John C. Tune Airport. For decades, the authority’s seven-member board was appointed by the Nashville mayor and confirmed by the Metro Council.

Under Public Chapter 978, signed by Gov. Bill Lee in May, the existing board was dissolved and replaced with a nine-member board. Six members are appointed by state officials: two by the speaker of the Tennessee House, two by the speaker of the Senate and two by the governor. The remaining three are appointed by the Nashville mayor and must be confirmed by the Metro Council. The arrangement gives state officials a majority of appointments and significantly reduces Metro Nashville’s influence over airport governance. The law also applies to airport authorities in Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis-Shelby County and the Tri-Cities region. The new board structure took effect July 1.