Which of the following statements is true about IATA codes?

• A. IATA codes are three-letter codes used for passenger and airline use.
• B. IATA codes are four-letter codes used for flight planning.
• C. IATA codes are numeric codes used for baggage handling.
• D. IATA codes are used only for cargo.

Answer: (A)

IATA airport codes are three-letter codes assigned by the International Air Transport Association and are used in everyday passenger and airline operations. They appear on tickets, timetables, and boarding passes, and they guide baggage routing and airport logistics. Examples include LAX, JFK, CDG, and NRT. This system is designed for commercial travel workflows involving both passengers and cargo.

A four-letter system used for flight planning and air traffic control is the ICAO code, not the IATA code. That’s why the statement about four-letter codes for flight planning isn’t correct for IATA. The notion of numeric codes is also incorrect—these airport codes are alphabetic. And IATA codes aren’t limited to cargo; they’re used broadly for both passenger and cargo operations.