ICAO Airport Identifiers
 

Hi all,

Would anyone be so kind as to explain how ICAO Airport Identifiers (eg EIDW) are assigned to airports? Some appear to make more sense than others ... Also 3 letter airport code(eg DUB) - how are these assigned? and why not just use the 4 letter code as above?

As always - any info is greatfully appreciated! :ok:

Did you try google?
 

http://www.skygod.com/asstd/abc.html

Gives a good overview.

ICAO Airport Identifiers
 

Quite a good overview.

Unfortunately the system as explained appears to fall down for several UK fields - often at the 3rd letter stage (FIR) viz.: Stansted, Gatwick, Luton, Norholt, Biggin Hill, Southampton, Southend to mention a few at random.

More airports than letters available? or possibly historical reasons??

STN can perfect sense if you speak estuary english...

e.g. as mumbled to a taxi driver "St'n'ed airport please mate."

However Southend should be SAR as in "Sarfend" as opposed to SEN. :D

I presume SEN is derived form SouthENd

Hey Memetic - thanks for the link! :ok: I think ive got it now ... As stinger pointed out there are ones that dont make as much sense as others but i suppose thats to keep us on our toes! :)