If you’ve ever booked a flight, checked a boarding pass, or searched for airport information, you’ve probably noticed three-letter codes like DEL, BOM, BLR, or HYD. These are known as airport codes and are used worldwide to identify airports quickly and accurately.
Every airport has one or more unique identification codes that help airlines, airports, travel agencies, and aviation authorities manage flight operations efficiently.
This Airport Codes Guide explains the different types of airport codes, how they work, why they are important, and includes a list of major airport codes used in India.
Quick Information
| Topic | Details |
| Main Airport Codes | IATA & ICAO |
| Used By | Airlines, Airports, Air Traffic Control |
| IATA Code Length | 3 Letters |
| ICAO Code Length | 4 Letters |
| Applicable To | Domestic & International Airports |
| Country Focus | India |
| Last Updated | 2026 |
What Is an Airport Code?
An airport code is a unique identifier assigned to an airport. Instead of using the full airport name, airlines and aviation authorities use short codes to identify airports during ticket booking, baggage handling, flight scheduling, and air traffic operations.
For example:
- DEL = Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi
- BOM = Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai
- BLR = Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru
- HYD = Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad
Airport codes help avoid confusion between airports with similar names and make aviation communication faster and more accurate.
Types of Airport Codes
There are two primary airport code systems used worldwide.
- IATA Airport Codes
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) assigns three-letter airport codes that are mainly used by:
- Airlines
- Passengers
- Travel agencies
- Online flight booking websites
- Boarding passes
- Baggage tags
These are the airport codes that travelers see most often.
Examples
| Airport | IATA Code |
| Delhi | DEL |
| Mumbai | BOM |
| Bengaluru | BLR |
| Chennai | MAA |
| Hyderabad | HYD |
| Kolkata | CCU |
| Kochi | COK |
| Jaipur | JAI |
- ICAO Airport Codes
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) assigns four-letter airport codes used primarily for:
- Air Traffic Control
- Flight Planning
- Aviation Operations
- Weather Reports
- Pilot Navigation
Passengers usually do not see ICAO codes during the booking process.
Examples
| Airport | ICAO Code |
| Delhi | VIDP |
| Mumbai | VABB |
| Bengaluru | VOBL |
| Chennai | VOMM |
| Hyderabad | VOHS |
| Kolkata | VECC |
| Kochi | VOCI |
| Jaipur | VIJP |
Difference Between IATA and ICAO Codes
| Feature | IATA Code | ICAO Code |
| Length | 3 Letters | 4 Letters |
| Assigned By | International Air Transport Association | International Civil Aviation Organization |
| Used By | Passengers & Airlines | Pilots & Air Traffic Control |
| Appears on Tickets | Yes | No |
| Appears on Boarding Pass | Yes | Rarely |
| Used for Flight Operations | Limited | Yes |
Why Are Airport Codes Important?
Airport codes simplify aviation operations around the world.
They are used for:
- Flight Booking
- Boarding Passes
- Baggage Handling
- Flight Schedules
- Air Traffic Management
- Navigation Systems
- Cargo Operations
- Airport Identification
Without standardized airport codes, managing global air travel would be much more difficult.
Major Airport Codes in India
| Airport | City | IATA | ICAO |
| Indira Gandhi International Airport | Delhi | DEL | VIDP |
| Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport | Mumbai | BOM | VABB |
| Kempegowda International Airport | Bengaluru | BLR | VOBL |
| Rajiv Gandhi International Airport | Hyderabad | HYD | VOHS |
| Chennai International Airport | Chennai | MAA | VOMM |
| Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport | Kolkata | CCU | VECC |
| Cochin International Airport | Kochi | COK | VOCI |
| Jaipur International Airport | Jaipur | JAI | VIJP |
| Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport | Ahmedabad | AMD | VAAH |
| Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport | Lucknow | LKO | VILK |
| Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport | Varanasi | VNS | VEBN |
| Goa International Airport (Dabolim) | Goa | GOI | VAGO |
| Manohar International Airport | Goa (Mopa) | GOX | VOGA |
| Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport | Amritsar | ATQ | VIAR |
| Biju Patnaik International Airport | Bhubaneswar | BBI | VEBS |
How Are Airport Codes Assigned?
IATA Codes
IATA generally assigns codes based on:
- City name
- Airport name
- Historical naming conventions
- Code availability
For example:
| Airport | Reason |
| DEL | Delhi |
| BLR | Bengaluru |
| HYD | Hyderabad |
| AMD | Ahmedabad |
Some airport codes come from older city names.
Examples:
- BOM → Bombay (now Mumbai)
- MAA → Madras (now Chennai)
- CCU → Calcutta (now Kolkata)
Although the cities have been renamed, the airport codes remain unchanged to maintain global consistency.
Where Can You Find Airport Codes?
Airport codes appear on:
- Flight Tickets
- Boarding Passes
- Airline Websites
- Airport Signboards
- Baggage Tags
- Flight Tracking Apps
- Travel Booking Websites
- Flight Information Displays
Can Two Airports Have the Same Code?
No.
Every IATA and ICAO airport code is unique worldwide, ensuring that each airport can be identified without confusion.
Airport Code Examples by Region
North India
| Airport | IATA |
| Delhi | DEL |
| Chandigarh | IXC |
| Amritsar | ATQ |
| Lucknow | LKO |
| Varanasi | VNS |
South India
| Airport | IATA |
| Bengaluru | BLR |
| Chennai | MAA |
| Hyderabad | HYD |
| Kochi | COK |
| Thiruvananthapuram | TRV |
West India
| Airport | IATA |
| Mumbai | BOM |
| Ahmedabad | AMD |
| Jaipur | JAI |
| Goa (Dabolim) | GOI |
| Goa (Mopa) | GOX |
East & Northeast India
| Airport | IATA |
| Kolkata | CCU |
| Guwahati | GAU |
| Agartala | IXA |
| Imphal | IMF |
| Bagdogra | IXB |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an airport code?
An airport code is a unique identifier assigned to an airport for use in aviation, ticketing, baggage handling, and flight operations.
What is the difference between IATA and ICAO codes?
IATA codes are three-letter identifiers mainly used by airlines and passengers, while ICAO codes are four-letter identifiers used for air traffic control and aviation operations.
Why is Mumbai Airport code BOM instead of MUM?
The code BOM comes from the city’s former name, Bombay. Airport codes generally remain unchanged even after cities are officially renamed.
What is Delhi Airport’s code?
- IATA Code: DEL
- ICAO Code: VIDP
Are airport codes unique?
Yes. Every airport has a unique IATA code and ICAO code that distinguishes it from airports around the world.
Final Thoughts
Airport codes are an essential part of global aviation, making flight booking, navigation, baggage handling, and airport operations efficient and standardized. While most travelers are familiar with three-letter IATA codes like DEL, BOM, and BLR, aviation professionals also rely on four-letter ICAO codes for flight planning and air traffic management.
Understanding these codes not only helps you read tickets and boarding passes more confidently but also makes it easier to identify airports while planning your journeys across India and around the world.