Imagine a pilot preparing to fly to Tacloban City in the Philippines' Leyte province. When filing their flight plan, they need the precise airport code to ensure the aircraft reaches its destination safely. What is the ICAO code for Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport? Understanding these codes is crucial for aviation professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport: A Vital Philippine Aviation Hub
Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport, also known as Tacloban Airport, serves as the primary aviation gateway to Tacloban City in Leyte province. To maintain standardized global aviation communication and safety protocols, every airport receives unique identification codes managed by two international organizations:
- IATA codes (assigned by the International Air Transport Association) - Primarily used for passenger bookings and baggage handling
- ICAO codes (assigned by the International Civil Aviation Organization) - Essential for flight planning, air traffic control, and aviation communications
Key Identification Codes
For Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport, these critical identifiers are:
- IATA code: TAC
- ICAO code: RPVA
The ICAO code RPVA serves as the airport's unique identifier within global aviation systems. Pilots, air traffic controllers, and aviation professionals rely on this code for precise communication and navigation. Meanwhile, passengers will typically encounter the IATA code TAC on their boarding passes and luggage tags.
Geographical Location and Basic Information
Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport is situated at the following coordinates:
- Latitude: 11° 13' 39.36" North
- Longitude: 125° 1' 40.80" East
This strategic location makes the airport a crucial transportation hub connecting Leyte Island with other Philippine regions and international destinations. Its position supports commercial, tourism, and emergency service operations throughout the Visayas region.
The Critical Role of ICAO Codes in Aviation
The RPVA designation extends far beyond simple identification—it plays multiple vital roles in aviation operations:
- Flight planning: Pilots must include the ICAO code when filing flight plans, enabling air traffic control to accurately track and manage aircraft routes.
- Air traffic control: Controllers use ICAO codes to identify and distinguish between aircraft, maintaining safe and efficient airspace management.
- Aviation communications: Critical information like meteorological reports (METAR) and terminal aerodrome forecasts (TAF) reference airports by their ICAO codes.
- Database systems: Airlines, airport authorities, and aviation technology providers organize and retrieve airport information using these standardized codes.
For aviation professionals and enthusiasts, understanding these identification systems provides valuable insight into the complex infrastructure that keeps global air travel safe and efficient. The RPVA code represents more than just an airport—it's part of an intricate language that enables seamless international aviation operations.