'Socially and culturally offensive': BJP MP wants code 'GAY' for Gaya airport to be changed; Centre replies

New Delhi: A BJP MP from Bihar has raised a question about IATA assigning 'GAY' as the code for Gaya airport, which he said people consider "socially and culturally offensive and uncomfortable", but the government has said that the international body has made it clear that three-letter codes are permanent and changed under exceptional circumstances only.

Bhim Singh sought a written response from the Ministry of Civil Aviation about the issue, asking whether the government intends to change the code name to a "more respectful and culturally appropriate" one.

In his response, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said the three-letter airport codes, also known as IATA location identifiers, are assigned by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to facilitate identification of airports across various travel-related systems and processes.

"These codes are generally assigned using the first three letters of the location's name where the airport is situated. Requests for changing the code of Gaya have been received in the past by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Airports Authority of India," he said.

He said IATA location codes are primarily intended for commercial airline operations and are issued at the request of airline operators and Air India had earlier approached IATA seeking change of the existing airport code.

"However, IATA has conveyed that under the provisions of IATA Resolution 763, assigned three-letter codes are considered permanent and are altered only under exceptional circumstances, usually involving air safety concerns," he added.