Airport Codes Revealed

As I was passing through LAX on my way to Volcano Village Lodge in Hawaii, I couldn’t help thinking about the origins of airport codes. When you’re traveling, do you ever wonder what those three-letter airport codes really mean? Sure, you know they signify which airport you’re departing from, which airport you’re landing in, and where your luggage is supposed to be going, but how exactly do they assign those often enigmatic letter combinations? Where is my luggage going? At check-in, when that infamous white sticker is fastened around your luggage handle, you’ll notice those all-important three letters featured prominently on the tag. If you’ve got a connecting flight, you’ll see a second set of letters as well. The airport destination code, established by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), is a roadmap of sorts that ensures (barring human error) your luggage arrives when and where you do. Cracking the IATA Code Many airport codes are familiar and instantly recognizable. A few of the more prevalent codes include: HNL (Honolulu International); LAX (Los Angeles International); SFO (San Francisco International); LAS (McCarran International-Las Vegas); PHX (Phoenix Sky Harbor International); SAN (San Diego International); and PSP (Palm Springs International). Those and many other airport codes are easily cracked because they’re logical abbreviations or initials for the airport name. It’s fairly obvious why La Aurora Airport is designated GUA when you know it’s in Guatemala City, Guatemala. But there are also many unusual or seemingly illogical codes that make us do a double-take when our luggage is tagged and about to be delivered into the great abyss behind the airport counter. WTF Codes Many codes that make us think WTF (meaning “what’s that for?”) actually have interesting or historical stories behind them. MCO, code for Orlando International Airport, doesn’t stand for Mickey Mouse Country as many Disney fans might surmise, but instead is derived from McCoy Air Force Base, which originally occupied the airport space. On Maui, the airport code OGG for Kahului Airport might seem arbitrary and strange, but there is logic behind the odd designation. Capt. Bertram J. Hogg, who became an aviation legend, was born in Lihue on Kauai. The OGG, I suppose, is a more pleasing code than HOG would be, but why Maui, not Kauai, received the code is harder to understand. On the Big Island, the code ITO is given to Hilo International Airport, the destination airport for those traveling to Volcano Village Lodge or 5th Street Ohana. But what does ITO have to do with Hilo? There are several theories about the origin of the code. Some say ITO came from one of the first Hawaiian Hilo Airport station supervisors, who was named Mr. Ito. Others argue that because ILO and HIL were already assigned to Mandurriao Airport in Iloilo, Phillippines and Shillavo Airport in Ethiopia, respectively, that ITO was a close third choice. Yet another theory is that it’s an abbreviation for Hilo Town. The true explanation, however, continues to elude me. Alphabet soup for your luggage There are lots of odd airport codes beyond the isles of Hawaii. For example, Sioux City, Iowa uses the IATA code SUX, which is not exactly the message the tourism board in that area wants to propagate. In fact, Sioux City officials have repeatedly petitioned for a change in airport code, but to no avail. Other airports with less-than-ideal three-letter codes include Louisiana’s Bossier City Airport (BAD); Sembach Airport in Sembach, Germany (SEX); Fresno Yosemite International Airport in Fresno, California (FAT); and the unfortunate Arrachart Airport in Madagascar (DIE). Perhaps more ideal, but still eye-catching are Hot Springs, Arkansas’ HOT designation; Alaska’s Willow Airport WOW moniker; and Tuvalu Island’s Funafuti International FUN code. Next time you’re traveling, playing the airport code alphabet game can be a fun and educational diversion. Now, if only we could get our luggage to come out quicker on the baggage carousel–that would be a YAY!