Who's in charge of Nashville's airport? US and Tennessee officials disagree under a new state law

abcnews.go.com:

Nashville International Airport has quietly faced an identity crisis for weeks under a new state law, with no clear agreement about who is in charge

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — While Nashville International Airport hums to the tune of live music in a terminal filled with tourists and locals alike, this trendy gateway to Tennessee has quietly confronted an identity crisis.

Under a new state law, there is no clear agreement now about who's in charge of airport operations. The confusion comes at a time when the airport is booming, its annual passengers having more than doubled over the past decade to 21.8 million by the 2023 fiscal year.

The nonprofit Metro Nashville Airport Authority and state officials argue that a new group of state appointees has lawfully taken over the authority's board. But federal officials and the city contend the old board picked by Nashville's mayor still has power.

Both boards met at the same time last week across town from each other.

The dispute heads to a hearing Friday in a state court in Nashville.

Earlier this year, Republican lawmakers approved plans for the state to make enough appointments to control the airport's board starting in July. The change was among several passed by legislators seeking to curtail the power of the heavily Democratic city, whose metro council sunk a bid to bring the 2024 Republican National Convention to Nashville.

The city has filed suit against the state over the changes to the airport authority, which manages, operates, finances and maintains the international airport and a smaller one in Nashville. In the meantime, the authority installed the new board members on July 1, saying it can't defy state law without a court order.

Citing the Tennessee Constitution, the