Use of 'GAY' code for Gaya airport inappropriate, make efforts to change it: Parliamentary panel tells govt
India Today
In its first report tabled in Parliament in January 2021, the Committee on Public Undertakings had recommended changing the code of Gaya airport from 'GAY' to 'YAG'.
A Parliamentary panel on Friday said the use of 'GAY' code for Gaya airport is inappropriate for the holy city and asked the government to make all efforts to change the code.
The Committee on Public Undertakings, in its first report tabled in Parliament in January 2021, had recommended changing the code of Gaya airport from 'GAY' and also suggested an alternate code name like 'YAG'.
According to the civil aviation ministry, IATA has expressed its inability to change the code without a "justifiable reason primarily concerning air safety".
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The International Air Transport Association (IATA) assigns the code for airports. The committee said the code name appeared inappropriate, unsuitable, offensive and embarrassing considering that Gaya is a holy city.
In an action report tabled in Parliament on Friday, the panel mentioned the issue and has asked the government to "make all effort to takeup the matter with the IATA and concerned organisation as the issue involves inappropriate code naming of an airport of a holy city of our country." The ministry, in its action taken reply, has submitted that the matter was referred to IATA by Air India.
In this regard, 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.
