AirportCodeDecoder is an terminal app, which helps you translate an IATA or ICAO airport code to more understandable format for non-aviation users. Also provide additional information about airport like the other, non used code, its location (city & country) and local time.
- Copy the code into your IDE
- Run the code in the terminal
- Enter IATA OR ICAO code and press enter
IATA's code standard: 3 characters, like WAW for Warsaw Chopin Airport or DXB for Dubai International Airport
ICAO: 4 characters, like EPWA for Warsaw Chopin Airport or OMDB for Dubai International Airport
IATA code is tied with specific airport, is mainly used in airline travel industry, covering schedules, flight statuses, baggage tags, ticketing and booking, etc. They're the most recognized codes due to their use by airlines to provide services for passengers. IATA codes are also assigned to some other locations tied to travel, like train and bus stations (my app doesn't cover them).
ICAO code covers more wide purpose of civil aviation operations, including general and business aviation. ICAO codes are used on air traffic control (ATC) flight plans and in air navigation services. They're heavily used by pilots, dispatchers rather than passengers and other people strict connected to them like check-in staff or customer service. This code is connected more to location than airport:
EPWA - E-Europe/P-Poland/WA-Warsaw
OMDB - O-Persian Gulf/M-United Arab Emirates/DB-Dubai