'GAY' Code For Gaya Airport Is Inappropriate, Says Parliamentary Panel

New Delhi: A Parliament committee on Friday said the use of the 'GAY' code for an airport for the holy Gaya city was inappropriate and the government should make all efforts to change the code.

The Committee on Public Undertakings, in its first report tabled in Parliament in January 2021, recommended replacing the Gaya airport code with 'GAY' and suggested alternative codes like 'YAG'.

Considering Gaya as a holy city, the committee observed that the code appears to be unfair, inappropriate, objectionable and embarrassing.

According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) had expressed its inability to make changes to the code without any justifiable reason, notably air safety. Notably, the IATA provides codes for airports.

In an action taken report tabled in Parliament on Friday, the Parliamentary Committee mentioned the matter and asked the government to make all efforts to take up the matter with the IATA and related organizations as the airports connected to the country's religiously important city.

''The airport code is inappropriate,'' it said.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation, in its action taken reply, has said it had referred the matter to IATA. In this regard, the IATA stated that in accordance with Resolution 763, any location code is considered permanent and a strong justified argument must be made to change it, primarily relating to air security.

"The IATA code 'Gay' for Gaya airport has been in use since the Gaya airstrip was operational. Expressed inability to change the IATA code of the airport," The Ministry further apprised panel.

"The committee appreciate the efforts of Air India being a member airline of IATA to take 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 read.

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