An airport code is a short code used to identify a specific airport. There are two international systems used:
- IATA airport code, a three-letter code which is most commonly known to the public because of its use in reservation, ticketing, and baggage-handling systems
- ICAO airport code, a four-letter code which is most commonly used by air-traffic control systems and for airports that do not have an IATA airport code (generally those without scheduled commercial flights)
In the United States, Federal Aviation Administration Location Identifiers are generally the same as the IATA airport code. Small municipal or private airports that do not have an IATA airport code are given a Location Identifier that usually includes numbers (to avoid conflict with future and existing IATA airport codes).
Famous quotes containing the words airport and/or code:
“It was like taking a beloved person to the airport and returning to an empty house. I miss the people. I miss the world.”
—Susan Sontag (b. 1933)
“Wise Draco comes, deep in the midnight roll
Of black artillery; he comes, though late;
In code corroborating Calvin’s creed
And cynic tyrannies of honest kings;
He comes, nor parlies; and the Town, redeemed,
Gives thanks devout; nor, being thankful, heeds
The grimy slur on the Republic’s faith implied,
Which holds that Man is naturally good,
And—more—is Nature’s Roman, never to be
scourged.”
—Herman Melville (1819–1891)