Imagine you're a pilot preparing to fly to a picturesque town in northern Sweden. To ensure your navigation system guides you safely to your destination, you must accurately input the airport code. What is the identifier for Örnsköldsvik Airport? This combination of letters serves as more than just an abbreviation—it's the critical link connecting this regional airport to global aviation networks.
Örnsköldsvik Airport Overview
Located in northern Sweden, Örnsköldsvik Airport serves both the namesake municipality and surrounding regions. While modest in size, this aviation hub plays a vital role in connecting local communities with domestic and international destinations. The facility accommodates commercial flights while supporting general aviation and charter operations. Its geographic position makes it an ideal gateway for exploring northern Sweden's natural landscapes.
Essential Identifiers: ICAO and IATA Codes
Every airport operates with two primary designations: the four-letter ICAO code (assigned by the International Civil Aviation Organization) for air traffic control and flight planning, and the three-letter IATA code (from the International Air Transport Association) used for commercial operations like ticketing and baggage handling. For Örnsköldsvik Airport, these identifiers are:
- IATA code: OER
- ICAO code: ESNO
This examination focuses on the technical significance of the ICAO designation ESNO.
Anatomy of the ESNO Code
ICAO codes follow a logical structure where each character conveys specific information. In the ESNO designation:
- E: Denotes Northern Europe
- S: Identifies Sweden
- NO: Serves as the unique identifier for Örnsköldsvik Airport
This systematic coding ensures unambiguous identification within global aviation systems, allowing pilots and air traffic controllers to precisely locate the facility among thousands of airports worldwide.
Geographic Coordinates and Elevation
Beyond its alphanumeric designation, the airport's physical location parameters are equally critical for flight operations:
- Latitude: 63° 24' 29.87" N (63.4083°)
- Longitude: 18° 59' 24.00" E (18.9900°)
- Elevation: 354 feet (108 meters)
These geospatial references enable accurate navigation, while the elevation data informs aircraft performance calculations during takeoff and landing procedures.
Operational Significance of ICAO Codes
The ESNO designation facilitates multiple critical functions in aviation operations:
1. Flight Planning
Pilots filing flight plans must specify departure and destination airports using ICAO codes, enabling air traffic control to monitor and route aircraft efficiently.
2. Air Traffic Management
Controllers utilize these standardized identifiers to coordinate aircraft movements, maintaining safe separation between flights within congested airspace.
3. Navigation Systems
Modern avionics reference ICAO codes to display airport locations and relevant operational data when pilots input identifiers like ESNO.
4. Meteorological Services
Weather reporting systems use ICAO codes to distribute accurate atmospheric observations, helping pilots assess landing conditions.
5. Aviation Databases
Global repositories of airport information—including runway specifications, navigation aids, and services—are indexed by ICAO codes for universal accessibility.
Airport Infrastructure and Services
Despite its regional scale, Örnsköldsvik Airport offers comprehensive facilities:
- A single paved runway accommodating various aircraft types
- Terminal building with check-in, security, and baggage claim areas
- Navigation aids including Instrument Landing System (ILS) and VOR
- Ground handling services for fueling and maintenance
- Passenger parking facilities
Locating ICAO Codes
Several resources exist for identifying airport codes:
- Online aviation databases
- Aeronautical charts used by pilots
- Airline and airport websites
Code Maintenance Protocol
The ICAO periodically updates airport identifiers to reflect significant infrastructure changes. Such modifications are disseminated to aviation stakeholders to maintain operational accuracy.
Conclusion
The ESNO designation embodies more than administrative bureaucracy—it represents Örnsköldsvik Airport's integral position within international aviation networks. Understanding these coding systems reveals the meticulous precision underlying global air transportation, where every character in an airport's identifier carries meaningful operational consequences.