ICAO Doc 7910: Location Indicators – The Global Directory of Aerodromes and Air Traffic Services What is ICAO Doc 7910? ICAO Doc 7910, titled Location Indicators , is the official ICAO publication that assigns and lists unique four-letter codes to aerodromes (airports), air traffic control (ATC) centers, and other aviation facilities worldwide. These codes, known as ICAO location indicators , are critical for international flight planning, air traffic control communications, and automated systems like flight data processing. Purpose of the Document The primary purpose of Doc 7910 is to standardize aerodrome identification across international boundaries. While IATA three-letter codes are used for passenger ticketing and baggage handling, ICAO four-letter codes (e.g., KJFK for New York-JFK, EGLL for London Heathrow) are used in operational and technical contexts, such as:
Flight plans (FPL) ATC clearance and handoffs Aeronautical information publications (AIPs) Weather reports (METAR/TAF) and NOTAMs
Structure of the PDF Document The PDF version of Doc 7910 is organized into several main parts:
Part I – Introduction: Explains the coding system, assignment rules, and how to interpret the list. Part II – Location Indicators by State: An alphabetical list of States/territories, each showing its assigned four-letter prefixes (e.g., EG for the United Kingdom, CY for Canada). Part III – Location Indicators by Code: A complete searchable list of all four-letter codes mapped to the aerodrome or facility name. Appendices: Include changes from previous editions, codes for non-geographic uses (e.g., training, military), and contact information for national authorities. doc 7910 pdf
How Codes Are Structured The first one or two letters of the four‑letter code represent the State or region (e.g., E for Northern Europe, K for the contiguous United States, V for Southeast Asia). The remaining two or three letters identify the specific aerodrome (e.g., C for Chicago O’Hare → KORD ). How to Obtain the Official PDF The official ICAO Doc 7910 is a copyrighted publication and must be purchased from ICAO’s online store ( shop.icao.int ). However, many aviation authorities and flight planning software providers distribute the data under license.
Current edition: The document is amended regularly. As of 2025, the latest edition is typically updated every 1-2 years. Always check the “valid from” date on the title page. Free access: ICAO does not offer a free public download of the complete PDF, but you can search individual codes for free via ICAO’s online API or public aviation databases like OurAirports , OpenFlights , or the ICAO Location Indicators Search tool.
Who Uses Doc 7910?
Pilots & Dispatchers: For filing accurate ICAO flight plans. ATC Units: For handoffs and coordination between adjacent flight information regions (FIRs). Airlines & Flight Planning Systems: To validate routes and airport identifiers. Software Developers: Building aviation apps, simulators, or logistics tools.
Important Notes for PDF Users
The PDF is not free – unauthorized distribution violates ICAO copyright. The document is amended frequently ; always use the latest version for operational use. For non‑operational or simulation purposes, many free online lists exist, but they may be outdated. ICAO Doc 7910: Location Indicators – The Global
Summary ICAO Doc 7910 is the definitive global standard for aerodrome location indicators. The PDF version is an essential reference for anyone involved in international air navigation, providing the authoritative mapping of four‑letter codes to airports and ATC facilities. While not freely distributable, the official PDF can be purchased from ICAO, and individual code lookups are available without charge through various aviation resources.
Note: For the most current details on cost, edition number, or to purchase the official PDF, visit the ICAO Store at https://store.icao.int.