Gaya airport code to remain ‘GAY’

India’s Committee on Public Undertakings, in its first report tabled in Parliament in January 2021, had also said that the code of Gaya airport needed to be changed from ‘GAY’ to ‘YAG’

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A Parliamentary panel recently objected to the use of ‘GAY’ code for Gaya airport. Pointing out that Gaya was a holy city, the panel asked the government to change the code. India’s Committee on Public Undertakings, in its first report tabled in Parliament in January 2021, had also said that the code of Gaya airport needed to be changed from ‘GAY’ to ‘YAG’.

Airports have three letter codes that are registered with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and India’s lawmakers want to change one code. “The Committee have their apprehension that Gaya being a holy city, locals might be finding it offensive or embarrassing on their city being recognised in the international community with the code name ‘GAY’. The Committee too find it inappropriate and unsuitable and therefore recommend the Government and Air India to complete all the requisite consultations and formalities in a time-bound manner to change the code of Gaya airport from ‘GAY’ to any other suitable code.”

“Gaya airport IATA code ‘GAY’ has been in use since operationalisation of Gaya airstrip. Hence, without a justifiable reason primarily concerning air safety, IATA has expressed its inability to change the IATA code of Gaya airport.”

— Ministry of Civil Aviation

IATA stated that as per Resolution 763, the location codes are considered permanent and a strong justification primarily concerning air safety needs to be given. “Gaya airport IATA code ‘GAY’ has been in use since operationalisation of Gaya airstrip. Hence, without a justifiable reason primarily concerning air safety, IATA has expressed its inability to change the IATA code of Gaya airport,” the Ministry of Civil Aviation told the panel. The ministry’s reply was mentioned in the panel’s report that was tabled on Friday last.

“The committee appreciates the efforts of Air India being a member airline of IATA taking up the request with the International Air Transport Association but, yet, re-emphasise the government also to make all effort to take up the matter with the IATA…,” the report said.

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