What an airport code is
An airport code is the three-letter IATA identifier used to name a specific airport in air freight quotes, schedules, and waybills, such as KBL for Kabul or PVG for Shanghai Pudong. Codes keep cargo instructions unambiguous when city and airport names are spelled differently across languages and systems. Because some large cities are served by more than one airport, the code tells freight agents exactly which terminal an origin or destination refers to.
How to use this lookup
The airport reference list loads automatically and is grouped for easy scanning. Browse and click an entry to see its full details, or type at least two characters to filter by city name, airport name, or three-letter code. Search only filters the loaded data, so clearing the box returns the complete grouped list.
How to read each field
- Airport code is the three-letter IATA reference for the airport.
- City is the served city, useful when a city has several airports.
- Airport name is the full airport name for documents and correspondence.
- Customs airport indicates whether the airport is marked as a customs point in this reference data.
Common mistakes to avoid
A frequent mistake is using a city-level code when cargo must go to one specific airport, which can route a shipment to the wrong terminal. Teams also mix up the three-letter IATA code with the four-letter ICAO code used by air traffic control, or assume every listed airport accepts international cargo. Treat the customs flag as a preparation hint, not a guarantee of cargo clearance capability.
Use with route planning
Airport code confirmation does not decide the best route by itself. Transit time, customs airport capability, airline service, cargo type, and local handling conditions should still be reviewed with the carrier or freight forwarder before booking.