Why is it "Y--"?
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Why is it "Y--"?
Something has been bugging me for a while, so I hope y'all have the answer...
I've come to the conclusion that Canada has made the decision to have the 1st letter of all its airports start with "Y"... but why?
Another thing... given the above, I understand YVR for VancouveR and YOW for OttaWa... but why YYZ for Toronto, YEG for Edmonton, and YUL for Montreal?
I've come to the conclusion that Canada has made the decision to have the 1st letter of all its airports start with "Y"... but why?
Another thing... given the above, I understand YVR for VancouveR and YOW for OttaWa... but why YYZ for Toronto, YEG for Edmonton, and YUL for Montreal?
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Originally Posted by IceTrojan
Something has been bugging me for a while, so I hope y'all have the answer...
I've come to the conclusion that Canada has made the decision to have the 1st letter of all its airports start with "Y"... but why?
Another thing... given the above, I understand YVR for VancouveR and YOW for OttaWa... but why YYZ for Toronto, YEG for Edmonton, and YUL for Montreal?
I've come to the conclusion that Canada has made the decision to have the 1st letter of all its airports start with "Y"... but why?
Another thing... given the above, I understand YVR for VancouveR and YOW for OttaWa... but why YYZ for Toronto, YEG for Edmonton, and YUL for Montreal?
This link is to a thread that will bring you to the most informative thread, which is this one:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=439919
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There are always many discussions as to the origins ... here is another on a non-FT site:
http://www.avcanada.ca/forums2/viewt...=airport+codes
A more generic discussion can be found at:
http://www.skygod.com/asstd/abc.html
http://www.avcanada.ca/forums2/viewt...=airport+codes
A more generic discussion can be found at:
http://www.skygod.com/asstd/abc.html
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Originally Posted by yyznomad
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...adian+airports
This link is to a thread that will bring you to the most informative thread, which is this one:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=439919
This link is to a thread that will bring you to the most informative thread, which is this one:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=439919
Wow... now I know WAY too much about Canadian airport codes

But it seems no one knows about "YYZ"
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Originally Posted by IceTrojan
D'oh! Many thanks... I tried about 3 searches, but I was at a loss as to what terms to use.
Wow... now I know WAY too much about Canadian airport codes
But it seems no one knows about "YYZ"
Wow... now I know WAY too much about Canadian airport codes

But it seems no one knows about "YYZ"

#6
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Originally Posted by yyznomad
For the search I used "Canadian airports".
Well, thanks for not flaming me.... I've come to expect it in the AA forum
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Originally Posted by IceTrojan
I was way over thinking it... I even tried to use "Why YYZ YOW YEG" etc, figuring if the question was asked, all the airports would be listed
Well, thanks for not flaming me.... I've come to expect it in the AA forum
Well, thanks for not flaming me.... I've come to expect it in the AA forum

Normally I do.
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Originally Posted by Canada Flyer
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Originally Posted by Canada Flyer
Oh, sory 'bout that. :-)
I give you kudos for trying (impressive for noob!) ^
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Originally Posted by IceTrojan
Shouldn't it be "Oh, sorry 'boot that" 

I shouldn't say anything, I do say "ya'll" quite a bit. Canada Flyer
Last edited by Canada Flyer; Feb 3, 2006 at 4:17 pm
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Not all Canadian airports... ZBB (CZBB) is one of the 10 busiest airports (in terms of movements) in Canada. Add CXH as another Vancouver airport with regularly scheduled flights without a Y. (and both of those aerodromes are large enough to have a control tower).
Note that some US airports start with a Y. YKM = YaKiMa, Washington
Some of the codes sometimes make more sense if you know the local area well. Example YCD = Nanaimo, but if you knew it was in CassiDy, south of town it makes more sense.
A quick google search should uncover more history, but at least to translate an IATA code (travel agent code) to a aviation code in north america you just add a C for Canada or K for the USA.
http://www.skygod.com/asstd/abc.html has a lot more details on the subject
Note that some US airports start with a Y. YKM = YaKiMa, Washington
Some of the codes sometimes make more sense if you know the local area well. Example YCD = Nanaimo, but if you knew it was in CassiDy, south of town it makes more sense.
A quick google search should uncover more history, but at least to translate an IATA code (travel agent code) to a aviation code in north america you just add a C for Canada or K for the USA.
http://www.skygod.com/asstd/abc.html has a lot more details on the subject

