ICAO Airport Codes: Everything You Need to Know
Every airport in the world that handles international traffic is assigned a unique four-letter identifier by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). These codes are the backbone of aviation communication, used in flight plans, weather reports (METAR and TAF), NOTAMs, and air traffic control communications. Understanding ICAO codes and their regional structure helps pilots, dispatchers, and aviation enthusiasts quickly identify airports and their geographic locations.
ICAO vs IATA: What is the Difference?
Many people confuse ICAO codes with IATA codes. While both identify airports, they serve different purposes and audiences:
- ICAO codes are 4 letters, used by pilots, ATC, and weather services. Example: KJFK (New York JFK)
- IATA codes are 3 letters, used by airlines, travel agents, and passengers. Example: JFK (New York JFK)
ICAO codes carry geographic information in their structure, while IATA codes are often derived from the city or airport name. For weather reports and flight operations, ICAO codes are always used.
How ICAO Codes Are Structured
The first letter (or first two letters) of an ICAO code identifies the region or country:
North America
- K – United States (contiguous 48 states): KJFK, KLAX, KORD, KATL
- C – Canada: CYYZ (Toronto), CYVR (Vancouver), CYUL (Montreal)
- MM – Mexico: MMMX (Mexico City), MMUN (Cancun)
- PA – Alaska: PANC (Anchorage), PAFA (Fairbanks)
- PH – Hawaii: PHNL (Honolulu)
Europe
- EG – United Kingdom: EGLL (London Heathrow), EGKK (Gatwick)
- LF – France: LFPG (Paris CDG), LFPO (Orly)
- ED – Germany: EDDF (Frankfurt), EDDM (Munich)
- LE – Spain: LEMD (Madrid), LEBL (Barcelona)
- LI – Italy: LIRF (Rome Fiumicino), LIMC (Milan Malpensa)
- EH – Netherlands: EHAM (Amsterdam Schiphol)
- LT – Turkey: LTFM (Istanbul), LTBS (Dalaman), LTAI (Antalya)
Asia and Pacific
- RJ – Japan: RJTT (Tokyo Haneda), RJAA (Narita)
- RK – South Korea: RKSI (Incheon)
- Z – China: ZBAA (Beijing), ZSPD (Shanghai Pudong)
- VT – Thailand: VTBS (Bangkok Suvarnabhumi)
- WS – Singapore: WSSS (Changi)
- Y – Australia: YSSY (Sydney), YMML (Melbourne)
Middle East and Africa
- OE – Saudi Arabia: OEJN (Jeddah), OERK (Riyadh)
- OM – UAE: OMDB (Dubai), OMAA (Abu Dhabi)
- DA – Algeria | GM – Morocco | HE – Egypt
- FA – South Africa: FAOR (Johannesburg)
South America
- SB – Brazil: SBGR (Sao Paulo Guarulhos)
- SA – Argentina: SAEZ (Buenos Aires Ezeiza)
- SK – Colombia: SKBO (Bogota)
- SP – Peru: SPJC (Lima)
Why ICAO Codes Matter for Weather
Every METAR and TAF report begins with the ICAO station identifier. When you see a weather report starting with LTBS, you immediately know it is from Dalaman, Turkey. This geographic awareness is crucial when reviewing multiple weather reports for route planning, as you can quickly assess the weather pattern across your flight path.
Our METAR&TAF platform allows you to search airports by ICAO code, IATA code, or city name, and instantly view decoded weather data with flight category mapping. With over 1,600 airports in our database, you can find weather conditions for major and regional airports across every continent.
Finding the Right ICAO Code
If you know the IATA code but not the ICAO code, here are common patterns:
- US airports: Add K prefix (LAX becomes KLAX, ORD becomes KORD)
- Canadian airports: Add CY prefix (YYZ becomes CYYZ, YVR becomes CYVR)
- Others: Use our airport search tool, as the relationship between IATA and ICAO codes is not always predictable outside North America
Search Any Airport on METAR&TAF
Visit METAR&TAF and use the search bar to find any airport by ICAO code, city name, or IATA code. Get instant access to decoded METAR observations, TAF forecasts, historical data, and our real-time worst weather rankings.
