Jazmin Li
The three-letter airport codes, also known as IATA location identifiers, are unique codes assigned to airports, cities, and metropolitan areas around the world. These codes were introduced in the 1930s to aid pilots in location identification and to make communication easier for all aviation stakeholders. The three-letter system allows for a larger number of combinations compared to the initial two-letter system, providing distinct codes for various locations. These codes are widely used in the aviation industry and logistics for identification and are often seen on baggage tags.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | IATA 3-letter codes |
| Description | A unique 3-letter code used to identify airports and cities worldwide |
| Usage | Used in aviation and logistics, commonly found on boarding passes, luggage tags, and baggage tags |
| Governing Body | International Air Transport Association (IATA) |
| Administration | IATA's headquarters in Montreal, Canada |
| Publication | Published semi-annually in the IATA Airline Coding Directory |
| Code Determination | Based on the first three letters of the city's name or an abbreviation/combination of letters from the airport's name |
| Code Uniqueness | No two airports can share the same 3-letter code |
| Code Length | Three letters |
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What You'll Learn
Why 3-letter airport codes?
Airport codes are a quick way to reference an airport on a boarding pass, a pilot's flight plan, or over the radio. They make life simpler, especially when space is limited. For example, instead of spelling out "Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport" on a boarding pass, the IATA-standard code MSY represents this destination.
The three-letter airport codes, also known as IATA codes, were established by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). They are unique three-letter geocodes designating many airports, cities, and metropolitan areas around the world. The IATA's headquarters in Montreal, Canada, administers these codes, which are published semi-annually in the IATA Airline Coding Directory.
The use of three-letter airport codes arose out of convenience for pilots in the 1930s. Pilots in the United States initially used a two-letter code from the National Weather Service (NWS) for identifying cities. However, as the number of airports grew, this system became unmanageable, and a switch to a three-letter code system was implemented, allowing for 17,576 permutations.
The first choice for creating an IATA airport code is to use the first three letters of the city's name, such as LAS for Las Vegas or BOS for Boston. If there is more than one airport in a city, IATA may choose an abbreviation for the airport, like JFK for John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. Occasionally, this results in humorous codes like LOL for Derby Field Airport near Lovelock, Nevada, and SUX for Sioux Gateway Airport in Sioux City, Iowa.
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How are 3-letter airport codes determined?
Three-letter airport codes, also known as IATA codes, are used to designate airports, cities, and metropolitan areas around the world. These codes are determined by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which is based in Montreal, Canada. The use of these codes provides a simple and uniform method for identifying airports across different countries and languages.
In the early days of aviation, airports in the United States used a two-letter city identification system, similar to that of the National Weather Service. However, as air travel grew in popularity, the number of airports also increased, making it necessary to expand to a three-letter code system. The IATA took on the task of assigning these codes in the 1960s, aiming to create a standardised process to prevent confusion.
When determining the three-letter codes, the IATA follows certain guidelines and preferences. The first choice is usually to create a code using the first three letters of the city's name, such as LAS for Las Vegas or BOS for Boston. However, if there is more than one airport in a city, the IATA may choose an abbreviation for the airport, like JFK for John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.
In some cases, the airport code may reflect a combination of letters that clearly indicate the city, such as HKG for Hong Kong or SFO for San Francisco. Additionally, filler letters are sometimes used to complete the three-letter code, especially when transitioning from a two-letter to a three-letter system. For example, the airport code for Los Angeles was originally LA, and when the three-letter code was implemented, the filler letter X was added, resulting in LAX.
It is important to note that no two airports can share the same three-letter code. Therefore, when a new airport is planned or an existing one undergoes significant changes, the relevant authorities submit a request to the IATA for an official code. This request includes details such as the airport's location, name, historical background, and suggested codes. If an identifier cannot be created using the standard methods, the code may be derived from the history of the area or pay tribute to notable figures, as seen with Orlando International Airport's code MCO, reflecting its past as McCoy Air Force Base.
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The difference between IATA and ICAO codes
Airport codes are 2-letter or 3-letter codes used to identify airports and some cities. There are three main types of airport codes: IATA, ICAO, and LID. IATA and ICAO are distinct from each other.
IATA, or the International Air Transport Association, issues 3-letter codes that are used for airline timetables, reservations, and baggage tags. These codes are used by passengers and are usually derived from the name of the airport or the city it serves. For example, JFK is the IATA code for New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, and LHR represents London's Heathrow Airport.
ICAO, or the International Civil Aviation Organization, assigns 4-letter codes that are used for flight planning and air traffic control. These codes are more concise and are used by pilots, dispatchers, and air traffic controllers. Unlike IATA codes, ICAO codes are distributed by region and country. The first one or two letters indicate the country, and the remaining letters identify the airport. For instance, Heathrow Airport's ICAO code is EGLL, with "EG" reflecting that it is based in the United Kingdom.
In some cases, an airport's ICAO code may be updated when the airport is renamed. For example, when Johannesburg Airport in South Africa was renamed O. R. Tambo International Airport, its ICAO code was changed from FAJS to FAOR. Certain airports, especially those shared by civilian and military users, may have two ICAO codes.
While IATA codes are commonly used for commercial purposes, such as ticketing and cargo shipping, ICAO codes are more broadly applied in international flight operations, including general and business aviation. ICAO codes are the standard for interoperability between air navigation service providers worldwide.
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How to find a 3-letter airport code
The three-letter airport codes are known as IATA codes, defined by the International Air Transport Association. Airports around the world use these unique three-letter codes, which are often easier to say and write than the full airport name. For example, LAX is used for Los Angeles International Airport, and JFK is used for New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport.
You can find a three-letter airport code by searching for the airport's name and code together. There are several online directories, such as the IATA website, which provide a search function to find the three-letter code for an airport. You can also search for the airport in the list of IATA codes, which is available on various websites and is published in the IATA Airline Coding Directory. This list is sorted alphabetically by city name, so you can find the code by looking up the city in which the airport is located.
Some patterns have been observed in the codes. Many large airports in Canada have codes that begin with the letter "Y", although this is not always the case, as some Canadian airports start with W, X, or Z. In New Zealand, many airport codes contain the letter Z to distinguish them from similar airport names in other countries, for example, HLZ for Hamilton, and ZQN for Queenstown.
Some airport codes are derived from the name of the airport, for example, JFK for John F. Kennedy International Airport, or the first three letters of the city it is located in, for example, NAN for the city of Nadi in Fiji. However, not all airport codes follow this pattern, and some are derived from the letters of the municipalities or regions they cross, or other factors.
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History of 3-letter airport codes
Airport codes were first introduced in the 1930s when pilots in the United States used the two-letter code from the National Weather Service (NWS) to identify cities. However, this system had its limitations as it did not work for cities and towns without an NWS identifier, and only allowed for a few hundred combinations.
A three-letter system of airport codes was then implemented, offering 17,576 permutations. The three-letter code is unique and acts as a location identifier for airports, cities (with one or more airports), and metropolitan areas (cities with more than one airport) worldwide. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) began assigning these three-letter airport codes in the 1960s, and they are now used by airlines, travel agencies, and passengers for booking, ticketing, and baggage handling.
The assignment of IATA codes follows specific rules and conventions, and they are published semi-annually in the IATA Airline Coding Directory. Generally, the codes are derived from the airport's name, city, or geographical location. For example, ORD is derived from Chicago O'Hare Airport's former name, Orchard Field, a military airbase during World War II. Similarly, LAX stands for Los Angeles International Airport, ATL for Atlanta, and JFK for New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule, as certain airports had to adopt "irregular" airport codes. For instance, the Navy claimed all codes beginning with the letter "N", so Newark Airport became EWR. Similarly, since "Q" is widely used in radio communication, cities beginning with "Q" had to find alternative codes, like Owerri in Nigeria, which uses QOW.
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Frequently asked questions
3-letter airport codes, also known as IATA location identifiers, are unique codes assigned to airports and cities worldwide. They are established by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and are used to quickly reference an airport, such as on a boarding pass or luggage tag.
The first choice for creating a 3-letter airport code is to use the first three letters of the city's name, such as LAS for Las Vegas or BOS for Boston. If there is more than one airport in a city, IATA may choose an abbreviation for the airport, like JFK for New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. Another option is to use a combination of letters from the airport's name, ideally starting with the same first letter as the city, for example, AHN for Athens, Georgia.
ICAO airport codes, defined by the International Civil Aviation Organization, are 4-letter codes used by pilots and air traffic controllers. They follow a different structure, with the beginning of the code indicating the country or region. ICAO codes are useful for radio communication and flight planning.
