Imagine planning your dream vacation to Mafia Island, Tanzania - a pristine paradise of untouched beaches and spectacular marine life. But as you book flights and arrange your itinerary, you find yourself confused by the alphabet soup of airport codes. Understanding these identifiers is key to smooth travel planning.
The Essential Airport Codes
Every airport worldwide has unique identification codes, functioning like passports for air travel. These come in two types:
- IATA codes : Three-letter identifiers used for passenger operations (ticketing, baggage, schedules)
- ICAO codes : Four-letter codes used in flight operations and air traffic control
For Mafia Island Airport, these critical identifiers are:
- IATA code: MFA
- ICAO code: HTMA
Navigating to Paradise
Located at coordinates 7° 55' 1.20" S latitude and 39° 40' 1.20" E longitude, Mafia Island Airport serves as the gateway to this Indian Ocean sanctuary. The ICAO code HTMA uniquely identifies this Tanzanian airstrip in global aviation systems.
When booking commercial flights, travelers will encounter the IATA code MFA on tickets and baggage tags. This three-letter designation helps streamline passenger operations across airlines and booking platforms.
Understanding Aviation's Alphabet
Airport codes follow specific conventions that reveal their origins:
- IATA codes often derive from the city or region name (MFA for Mafia Island)
- ICAO codes begin with country prefixes (HT indicates Tanzania)
- The codes ensure precise identification across languages and regions
Key Airport Information
For travelers planning their Tanzanian getaway, these are the essential details:
- Airport name: Mafia Island Airport
- Country: United Republic of Tanzania
- Latitude: 7° 55' 1.20" S
- Longitude: 39° 40' 1.20" E
With this information, travelers can confidently navigate flight bookings and travel arrangements to this remote island destination. The codes serve as your first step toward experiencing Mafia Island's renowned coral reefs, marine parks, and tranquil beaches.
Understanding these aviation identifiers removes one potential hurdle in journey planning, allowing visitors to focus on anticipating the natural wonders that await on Tanzania's spectacular coastline.