Gaya Airport's ‘GAY' Code ‘Uncomfortable'? Let's Talk About PEE, POO, LOL & YUM: Here's The List
Bhim Singh, a Rajya Sabha member from Bihar, has sought the changing of the three-letter code of the Gaya International Airport – GAY – calling it 'uncomfortable". While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP has sought a 'more respectful and culturally appropriate code", his remarks have drawn the ire of the LGBTQ community.
Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol in a written reply on Monday said the three-letter airport codes once assigned are considered permanent and are altered only under exceptional circumstances, usually involving air safety concerns.
Who assigns the three-letter codes?
In India, three-letter airport codes, known as IATA codes, are assigned by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
IATA (International Air Transport Association) is a global trade organization based in Montreal, Canada. These codes are not assigned by the Indian government or any Indian authority. IATA assigns codes worldwide to identify airports uniquely and simplify airline operations, ticketing, baggage handling, and logistics.
Example: DEL – Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi
These are different from ICAO codes, which are four-letter codes assigned by the International Civil Aviation Organization, often used for air traffic control and flight operations.
Why do airport codes matter?
These codes are printed on luggage tags to ensure bags are routed correctly. Mislabeling could send bags to the wrong destination, so these codes reduce errors.
Airport codes appear on boarding passes, tickets, itineraries, and e-tickets. They help travelers quickly understand their route and transfers.
These codes are used in departure/arrival boards, airline websites and apps, flight-tracking software, air traffic management interfaces.
IATA codes are part of the international aviation language. They allow airlines, travel agencies, cargo handlers, and regulatory bodies to coordinate worldwide.
Can airport codes be changed?
'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. IATA location codes are primarily intended for commercial airline operations and are issued at the request of airline operators. 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," Mohol said.
Does any airport have a funny code?
Any? Many. Take a look at the list.
SUX (Sioux Gateway, USA)
PEE (Perm, Russia)
POO (Pocos De Caldas, Brazil)
FAT (Fresno Yosemite, USA)
LOL (Derby Field, USA)
OMG (Omega, Namibia)
BUM (Butler Memorial, USA)
EEK (Eek, Alaska)
BRR (Barra, Scotland)
FUN (Funafuti, Tuvalu)
YUM (Yuma, Arizona)
GAG (Gage, Oklahoma)
HOG (Frank Pais, Cuba)
GRR (Grand Rapids, USA)
CAT (Cascais Municipal, Portugal)
DAD (Da Nang, Vietnam)
WOW (Willow, Alaska)
BOO (Bodo, Norway)
IOU (Île Ouen, New Caledonia)
SAD (Safford, USA)
FAB (Farnborough, UK)
With PTI Inputs
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Manjiri Joshi
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First Published:
August 06, 2025, 11:50 IST
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