If you’ve flown before, you’re familiar with the codes on your tickets, such as DEL-BOM (Delhi to Mumbai). These codes are essential identifiers for airports worldwide. The article explores what these codes are, what they mean, and how they are assigned. It will also discuss the inauguration of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), which will be assigned the code NMI.
The first phase of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is expected to be inaugurated on September 30th by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Previously, the government had set deadlines for the airport’s opening, including January 1, January 31, March 31, and June 2025. The final date of September 30th was decided during a visit to the airport site in July by the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister.
These codes, which appear on your tickets and luggage tags, serve as a unique identifier for each airport. They are also used by air traffic controllers and pilots for ease of communication and navigation.
The ICAO and IATA are the organizations that assign these codes. IATA codes use three letters (e.g., DEL), while ICAO codes use four letters (e.g., OEDF for Dammam/King Fahd International Airport). ICAO codes are used by pilots and air traffic controllers, and IATA codes help identify the airport. IATA codes are often derived from the first three letters of the city’s name, such as DEL for DELHI.
Airport codes serve several critical purposes: they provide a unique global identifier for each airport, are crucial for tickets, boarding passes, and luggage tags. They facilitate seamless communication among pilots and air traffic controllers, and these codes are essential to maintain global standards and ensure the efficient flow of information. Shorter codes are faster and easier to use than full airport names.
Controversies can arise concerning these codes, as seen with the GAY code for Gaya airport in India. A BJP MP raised concerns about the code in Parliament, stating that it was potentially offensive. The Minister of State for Civil Aviation explained that IATA codes are generally permanent and rarely changed, with changes only occurring in exceptional circumstances. The codes are typically based on the airport’s location. The IATA maintains that changes to codes are restricted to exceptional circumstances.
Examples of Airport Codes:
Mumbai: BOM (Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport)
Kolkata: CCU (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport)
Chennai: MAA (Chennai International Airport)
Delhi: DEL (Indira Gandhi International Airport)
Bengaluru: BLR (Kempegowda International Airport)
Hydrabad: HYD (Rajiv Gandhi International Airport)
Ahmedabad: AMD (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport)
Jaipur: JAI (Jaipur International Airport)
Patna: PAT (Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport)
Srinagar: SXR (Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport)