Definition
The three-letter code for an airport or city, such as DEL for Delhi or BOM for Mumbai, and the two-character code for an airline, such as 6E for IndiGo. Set by the International Air Transport Association, they appear on tickets, boarding passes and bag tags.
Codes Indian travellers see most
| Airport | Code |
|---|---|
| Delhi | DEL |
| Mumbai (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj) | BOM |
| Navi Mumbai | NMI |
| Bengaluru | BLR |
| Chennai | MAA |
| Kolkata | CCU |
| Hyderabad | HYD |
| Kochi | COK |
| Goa (Dabolim) | GOI |
| Goa (Mopa) | GOX |
Airline codes work the same way: AI for Air India, 6E for IndiGo, IX for Air India Express, QP for Akasa Air, SG for SpiceJet, EK for Emirates and QR for Qatar Airways.
Why the code matters
Several cities have more than one airport, and a cheap fare often uses the less convenient one:
- Goa: Mopa (GOX) is in the far north, so a South Goa resort can be a drive of two hours or more.
- Mumbai: BOM and the newer Navi Mumbai airport (NMI) are far apart in traffic.
- Bangkok: BKK (Suvarnabhumi) handles most flights from India; DMK (Don Mueang) is used mainly by low-cost airlines.
- Dubai: DXB is the main airport; DWC (Al Maktoum) handles some low-cost and charter flights.
- London and Tokyo: the city codes LON and TYO cover several airports each.
Before you book a hotel transfer, match it to the airport code on your ticket. At check-in, read your bag tag: it should show the code of your final airport. If it says DOH when you're going to London Heathrow (LHR), ask the agent to fix it before the bag leaves the counter.
You may also see four-letter ICAO codes, such as VIDP for Delhi. Pilots and air traffic control use these; you rarely need them.