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This is a follow up to my previous question What do numbers signify in airport codes?

In that case, I was asking why my local airport (Markham Airport) had a number in its code (CNU8). I later learned that the code was not really a code, but a Transport Canada Identifier.

This leads me to my question, Why do some airports not have ICAO codes? At my local airport, there is plenty of glider activity, and a flight school is also located there.

My main thoughts for the airport not having a code comes from the lack of an Air Traffic Control Tower. When declaring a landing, pilots have to do declare it on Traffic, which doesn't have a controller. It looks something like this (based on memory, I'm not a pilot but I hope to be one):

Markham Traffic, Aircraft Papa Lima landing on the grass strip beside whatever runway

Am I correct in assuming that airports without ICAO codes don't have codes because of the lack of a control tower? Or is there other reasons for this?

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    $\begingroup$ Wish I could find a reference for this question. I suspect it has to do with traffic volume. With the FAA, they generally seem to start an airport with a 4 digit code(state abbr, and 2 numbers, aka 20GA in some combo), then if it's busier they'd upgrade to a 3 character code(6A2), then if it increases then they'd bump to a 3 letter identifier(PUJ). Once it's to the 3 letter one, it's generally assumed to be ICAO compliant by adding a K in front for the Continental US. Now is this correct? Not sure, but that's the standard I've seen in upgrading identifiers in the US. $\endgroup$
    – slookabill
    May 6, 2015 at 0:10
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    $\begingroup$ The reason why not all airports do is that there aren't that many ICAO codes, and there are lots of airports. $\endgroup$
    – cpast
    May 6, 2015 at 0:19
  • $\begingroup$ In the US there is a minimum level of weather reporting capability (among other things) required to get an ICAO identifier. $\endgroup$
    – casey
    May 6, 2015 at 1:40
  • $\begingroup$ @cpast if what you say is the case looks to me that ICAO procedures are really obsolete or not needed. $\endgroup$
    – Trebia Project.
    May 6, 2015 at 8:21
  • $\begingroup$ The airport has to apply for an ICAO code. At a very local grass strip with a lot of glider traffic you might not have any use for the worldwide ICAO code. $\endgroup$
    – ghellquist
    Jul 29, 2018 at 8:20

1 Answer 1

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There is plenty of information on the Internet on how certain and specific identifiers came to life, however the codes are sometimes not directly assigned by ICAO, but by the member nations.

ICAO Document 7910 - Location Identifiers contains codes allocated by national governments, on behalf of ICAO, to airports, airfields and other facilities such as ATC and weather stations.

Ultimately, it is the national CAA's or other authorities' decision whether to assign a code and get it validated through ICAO. The decision may be based on political, historical or other reasons, there is no minimum requirements for airports to receive an ICAO code.

Am I correct in assuming that airports without ICAO codes don't have codes because of the lack of a control tower? Or is there other reasons for this?

The availability of a control tower is not a requirement for ICAO codes, even small uncontrolled fields with grass strips can have an ICAO code, example: EDKW / Werdohl-Küntrop (600m grass / uncontrolled / PPR)

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