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euronews
Everything you need to know about airport codes
The article reveals the evolution and significance of airport codes, which began as two-letter codes in the 1930s and transitioned to three letters due to the growth in the number of airports. It discusses how codes are crucial for the operations within the aviation and travel industries. Notably, the recent renaming of Palm Beach International Airport to DJT reflects a political touchstone as these codes hit popular culture, appearing on various merchandise. Additionally, the piece outlines the process of code assignment and the infrequency of changes, punctuated by an increase in updates over the previous year.
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Published 24 Aug 2026, 05:05 UTC3 min read
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Summary
TL;DR
- Airport codes are three-letter geocodes corresponding to airports worldwide.
- Codes are assigned by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
- The codes ensure operations in aviation, including ticketing and scheduling, function smoothly.
- Recent changes include Palm Beach Airport's new code DJT, named after Donald Trump.
- Most codes originate from the location's name or previous two-letter codes.
Interesting facts
- Around 40 to 50 airport codes are newly assigned yearly.
- Canadian airport codes typically start with a Y due to historical weather station designations.
- The IATA database contains around 11,300 airport codes.