Airport Codes Explained A lesson about three and four letter airport codes http://airportcod.es/ CLICK HERE TO START

Navigation Click on me! Back Next You can click on the box to navigate to certain areas of the presentation or to select an answer written in the box Click on me! Click on the arrows to navigate back and forward Back Next

Lesson Plan Let’s get started Objectives Airport Codes Quiz Click on this button to get started! You can also skip forward by clicking on the other buttons, although it is not recommended if you are not familiar with the topic Let’s get started Objectives Airport Codes Quiz Note: You won’t be able to go back to the content part of the lesson if you click on Quiz here

Why do airport codes matter? As the airport system grew in size in the 1930’s, it was necessary to designate airports with a three letter code, enabling 17,576 different unique identifiers As an aviation management student, you will soon realize that most aviation professionals will refer to airports by their letter codes only, necessitating the need for you to have a basic understanding of the most important airport codes Back Next

But before we get started … Based on the airport code shown , click on the correct city name: Chicago O’Hare Los Angeles Intl. Airport Newark Liberty International http://airportcod.es/#

But before we get started … Based on the airport code shown , click on the correct city name: Chicago O’Hare Wrong, try again! Los Angeles Intl. Airport Newark Liberty International http://airportcod.es/#

But before we get started … Based on the airport code shown , click on the correct city name: Chicago O’Hare You’ve got it! Great job! Los Angeles Intl. Airport Newark Liberty International http://airportcod.es/# Next

But before we get started … Based on the airport code shown , click on the correct city name: Calgary International Airport Vancouver International Airport Toronto Pearson Airport http://airportcod.es/#

But before we get started … Based on the airport code shown , click on the correct city name: Calgary International Airport Wrong, try again! Vancouver International Airport Toronto Pearson Airport http://airportcod.es/#

But before we get started … Based on the airport code shown , click on the correct city name: Calgary International Airport You’ve got it! Great job! Vancouver International Airport Toronto Pearson Airport http://airportcod.es/# Next

Objectives 1 2 Identify airport letter codes for major airports Understand the different systems of airport codes Back Next

Airport Letter Code Systems As you have seen in the intro quiz, many airports have easy to derive letter codes: Others do not: LAX for Los Angeles YYZ for Toronto Back Next

Airport Letter Code Systems As you have seen in the intro quiz, many airports have easy to derive letter codes: Others do not: OAK for Oakland ORD for Chicago O’Hare Back Next

Airport Letter Code Systems 1 2 The more often used 3-letter airport codes are mostly determined by IATA, the International Air Transport Association The 4-letter airport codes used by pilots are determined by ICAO, the International Civil Aviation Organization, A United Nations specialized agency The problem is that these two standards may or may not align. More on the next slide! Back Next

Airport Letter Code Systems ICAO four letter codes IATA three letter codes Some overlap exists between the two different systems: LAX – IATA Code KLAX – ICAO Code For most airports, no similarity exists: VIE– IATA Code LOWW– ICAO Code Back Next

Airport Letter Code Systems ICAO four letter codes IATA three letter codes Most airports have both ICAO and IATA letter codes Some, however, have only ICAO designators or only IATA designators Back Next

Airport Letter Code Systems For ICAO airport codes, the geographic location determines the first letter of the airport identifier. Click on the United States to see some airport codes Picture: ICAO Back Next

Airport Letter Code Systems Watch the YouTube video on this slide to get even more information about 3-letter airport codes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63NLvAz5CDg Back Next

Airport Letter Code Systems LAX Los Angeles International Airport Before the 1930’s, airports had two-letter codes. When codes switched to three letters, many added the letter ‘X’ to the end. LA (Los Angeles) became LAX. ORD Chicago O’Hare International Airport Before the airport was renamed after Medal of Honor recipient Edward O’Hare in 1949, it was known as Orchard Field Airport. JFK John F. Kennedy International Airport New York In 1963, Idlewild Airport was renamed in dedication to John F. Kennedy. It also changed its three-letter airport code from IDL to JFK. http://airportcod.es/# Back Next The stories can help you to memorize the airport codes!

Airport Letter Code Systems IAD Dulles International Airport Washington D.C. Dulles International Airport’s three-letter code was once DIA. When hand-written, it was often misread as DCA, another Washington airport. It was reversed to IAD to avoid confusion. DFW Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Dallas–Fort Worth For decades Dallas and Fort Worth ran competing airports, but in 1969 construction finally began on a joint airport to serve the Dallas-Fort Worth area. SFO San Francisco International Airport San Francisco Before the 1930’s, airports had two-letter codes. When codes switched to three letters, many added the letter ‘X’ to the end. San Francisco instead used its last letter ‘O’. http://airportcod.es/# Back Next The stories can help you to memorize the airport codes!

Airport Letter Code Systems YYC Calgary International Airport Calgary, Canada With a few exceptions, airport codes starting with ‘Y’ designate Canadian airports. The second ‘Y’ is a filler letter and the ‘C’ comes from its home in the city of Calgary. YYZ Pearson International Airport Toronto, Canada Y designates a Canadian airport. The ‘YZ’ isn't as clear, but is said to be the old railway station code for Malton, an area west of Toronto where the airport is located. YVR Vancouver International Airport Vancouver, Canada Y designates a Canadian airport. Vancouver International is actually located in the city of Richmond, but gets its other two letters from the major port city it serves, Vancouver, British Columbia. http://airportcod.es/# Back Next Remember: All Canadian three letter airport codes start with a ‘Y’

Airport Letter Code Systems ABC Aeropuerto de Albacete Albacete, Spain Opened in 1929, Albacete Airport is located on Los Llanos Air Base and serves the city of Albacete. SUX Sioux Gateway Airport Sioux City, USA Sioux City petitioned twice to have its airport code SUX changed. With no great alternatives, they stuck with it and now use the slogan “Fly SUX.” DOH Doha Airport, Qatar Often called “New Doha Airport,” Hamad International opened in May of 2014, replacing Doha International Airport as the primary airport for Qatar’s capital city. http://airportcod.es/# Back Next

Airport Letter Code Systems Do you have a “home airport” and would you like to find out the story behind its code? Click on the picture to open a website and find out for yourself! Airportcod.es Back Next

ICAO and IATA airport codes are always identical It’s Quiz Time Answer the following question: True ICAO and IATA airport codes are always identical False Back Not ready yet? Go back to the main content area

ICAO and IATA airport codes are always identical It’s Quiz Time Answer the following question: True Wrong, try again! ICAO and IATA airport codes are always identical False http://airportcod.es/#

It’s Quiz Time Next True False Answer the following question: You’ve got it, great job! ICAO and IATA airport codes are only sometimes identical ICAO and IATA airport codes are always identical False Next

JFK is the airport designation for Newark International Airport It’s Quiz Time Answer the following question: True JFK is the airport designation for Newark International Airport False

JFK is the airport designation for Newark International Airport It’s Quiz Time Answer the following question: True Wrong, try again! JFK is the airport designation for Newark International Airport False

It’s Quiz Time Next True False Answer the following question: You’ve got it, great job! EWR is the airport code for Newark JFK is the airport designation for Newark International Airport False Next

It’s Quiz Time Next Answer the following question: Type your answer here: What would be the ICAO airport code for Boston, given that the IATA code is ‘BOS’ Next

It’s Quiz Time Next Answer the following question: What would be the ICAO airport code for Boston, given that the IATA code is ‘BOS’ If you entered, KBOS, great job! If not, you may want to go back to the slides to review the material Next

What was the story behind the three letter code of Chicago O’Hare? It’s Quiz Time Answer the following question: Type your answer here: What was the story behind the three letter code of Chicago O’Hare? Next

What was the story behind the three letter code of Chicago O’Hare? It’s Quiz Time Answer the following question: What was the story behind the three letter code of Chicago O’Hare? If you entered that prior to 1949, the airport was known as Orchard Field Airport, great job! If not, you may want to review the lesson. Next

It’s Quiz Time True False Answer the following question: Most airports have both ICAO and IATA airport code. Some however, have only a three or a four letter code, but not both. False

It’s Quiz Time True False Answer the following question: Wrong, try again! Most airports have both ICAO and IATA airport code. Some however, have only a three or a four letter code, but not both. False

It’s Quiz Time Next True False Answer the following question: You’ve got it, great job! Most airports have both ICAO and IATA airport code. Some however, have only a three or a four letter code, but not both. False Next

It’s Quiz Time True False Answer the following question: The three letter codes for Canadian airports always end with the letter ‘Z’ – for example – YYZ for Toronto False

It’s Quiz Time True False Answer the following question: Wrong, try again! The three letter codes for Canadian airports always end with the letter ‘Z’ – for example – YYZ for Toronto False

Canadian airports codes always start with the letter ‘Y’ It’s Quiz Time Answer the following question: True You’ve got it, great job! Canadian airports codes always start with the letter ‘Y’ The three letter codes for Canadian airports always end with the letter ‘Z’ – for example – YYZ for Toronto False Next

Click on the three letter code for Vancouver International Airport It’s Quiz Time YVR YYC YYZ Click on the three letter code for Vancouver International Airport JFK SFO ORD IAD http://www.nationsonline.org/maps/USA_blank_map.jpg LAX ATL DFW MIA

It’s Quiz Time YVR YYC YYZ Wrong, try again! JFK SFO ORD IAD LAX ATL http://www.nationsonline.org/maps/USA_blank_map.jpg LAX ATL DFW MIA

That is the airport code for Vancouver! It’s Quiz Time YVR YYC YYZ You’ve got it, great job! That is the airport code for Vancouver! JFK SFO ORD IAD http://www.nationsonline.org/maps/USA_blank_map.jpg LAX ATL DFW Next MIA

Great job! You have successfully completed this lesson!

Airportcod.es

Objectives 1 2 Identify airport letter codes for major U.S. airports Understand the methodology of airport codes Back Next

Airport Letter Code Systems As you can see, many airports have easy to derive letter codes: Others do not: LAX for Los Angeles HKG for Hong Kong ORD for Chicago O’Hare Back Next

Airport Letter Code Systems For ICAO airport codes, the geographic location determines the first letter of the airport identifier. Click on the United States to see some airport codes Los Angeles: KLAX New York, La Guardia: KLGA Chicago O’Hare: KORD Are you starting to see a pattern? For the U.S., ICAO airports are structured as K + IATA airport code Back Next

Click on the three letter code for Vancouver International Airport It’s Quiz Time YVR YYC YYZ Click on the three letter code for Vancouver International Airport JFK SFO ORD IAD LAX ATL DFW MIA