Interesting factsabout airport code

  • Some airport codes can be confusing, such as MCO for Orlando International Airport, which has no clear connection to the city’s name.
  • There are no airport codes that consist solely of vowels. This is because IATA codes were initially designed to avoid confusion with radio call signs, which also avoid using only vowels.
  • No repeated letters: The IATA code system alsoavoids assigning codes with three repeated letters (e.g., AAA, BBB, CCC) to avoid confusion and miscommunication.
  • Airport codes may have amusing or unusual meanings – such as BOO (for Bodo Airport in Norway),  DIE (Arrachart Airport in Madagascar), FUN (Funafuti International Airport in Tuvalu), LOL (Derby Field in the U.S), or WOW (Willow Airport in the US).
  • Airport codes sometimes change due to political or cultural reasons. For example, the airport code for Mumbai (formerly: Bombay) was changed from BOM to MUM in 2018 to reflect the city’s current name.
  • All Canadian airport codes start with “Y”. It was chosen as the starting letter by the IATA in the 1930s, as a way to easily identify Canadian airports over the radio. Similarly, airports in Russia and other former Soviet republics often have codes starting with “U.”

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Why the airports have their unique codes?

Airports have unique codes to ensure that they are easily identifiable in communication and documentation related to air travel. With thousands of airports around the world, using standardized codes helps reduce confusion and ensure efficient communication between airlines, airports, and air traffic control.

Some airport codes have become well-known to the point where they are used to refer to the city itself. For example, LAX is often used as a nickname for Los Angeles.

The difference between IATA and ICAO airport codes

The IATA airport code is a three-letter identifier used primarily by airlines and travel agencies for ticketing, booking, and baggage handling. An example of an IATA airport code is JFK, which stands for John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City.

The ICAO airport code, on the other hand, is a four-letter identifier used primarily for air traffic control and other aviation-related organizations. While some airports have the same codes for both systems, in many cases, the codes are different. The ICAO airport code for John F. Kennedy International Airport is KJFK.

How the codes are chosen?

Airport codes are assigned based on specific criteria, such as the airport's name, location, and importance as a transportation hub.

Some airport codes are more memorable than others, such as SIN for Singapore Changi Airport or DUB for Dublin Airport. However, the IATA code assigned to Dubai International Airport is DXB (the letter X is commonly used as a filler letter in airport codes).

Once assigned, the airport codes usually don't change. For example, the airport code for Chicago O'Hare International Airport is ORD, which stands for Orchard Field. The airport was originally named Orchard Field Airport, but the name was later changed to honor World War II hero Butch O'Hare.

How many airport codes are there?

There are over 9,000 IATA airport codes and over 17,000 ICAO airport codes in use worldwide.

Are the airport codes related to airline codes and flight numbers?

While there is no direct relationship between airport codes and airline codes or flight numbers, they are often used together in air travel documentation and communication to identify specific airports and routes.

How can I lookup airport code for a specific city or airport?

You can easily look up airport codes for a specific city or airport using online resources such as airport code directories or airport code databases, such as World Airport Codes.

Simply enter the name or location of the airport, and the tool will provide you with the corresponding code.

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