When planning a trip to Gothenburg, Sweden, navigating through flight options can be overwhelming. Among the array of airport choices, identifying the former "Säve Flygplats" requires understanding the cryptic language of airport codes. This article explores the IATA and ICAO designations of Gothenburg City Airport (formerly Säve Flygplats), revealing how these alphanumeric identifiers function within global aviation systems.
Gothenburg City Airport: From Säve Flygplats to GSE
Located in Sweden's second-largest city, Gothenburg City Airport originally operated as Säve Flygplats before adopting its current name. Like all airports worldwide, it received standardized identifiers from two key aviation organizations: the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
IATA Code: GSE – The Traveler's Compass
The three-letter IATA code serves primarily passenger-facing functions. Gothenburg City Airport's GSE designation appears on boarding passes, baggage tags, and departure boards—acting as a universal shorthand that streamlines ticketing, baggage handling, and itinerary management for millions of travelers annually.
ICAO Code: ESGP – The Aviator's Coordinates
Pilots and air traffic controllers rely on the four-letter ICAO code ESGP for flight planning and navigation. The "ES" prefix denotes Sweden's airspace, while "GP" specifically identifies Gothenburg City Airport within regional aviation charts and communication systems.
Airport Specifications
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Gothenburg City Airport (formerly Säve Flygplats) |
| IATA Code | GSE |
| ICAO Code | ESGP |
| Country | Sweden |
| Elevation | 59 feet (18 meters) |
| Coordinates | 57° 46' 28.92" N, 11° 52' 13.44" E |
The Logic Behind the Letters
While IATA codes often derive from city or airport names (GSE likely references Gothenburg's Swedish name "Göteborg"), their allocation sometimes follows obscure historical conventions. ICAO codes follow stricter geographical logic—the first letter indicates the global region ("E" for Northern Europe), the second the country ("S" for Sweden), with the final two letters assigned sequentially.
Practical Applications of Airport Codes
- Flight Bookings: Travel platforms use IATA codes to distinguish between Gothenburg's multiple airports (GSE vs. GOT for Landvetter Airport)
- Baggage Routing: Automated sorting systems scan GSE-tagged luggage for proper destination routing
- Flight Tracking: Real-time status updates reference ESGP for air traffic control purposes
- Navigation Systems: Aircraft instrumentation integrates ICAO codes into flight management computers
- Industry Analytics: Aviation researchers aggregate data using these standardized identifiers
Finding Airport Codes
Several methods exist for identifying airport codes:
- Specialized aviation code databases
- Airline websites' airport information sections
- Encyclopedic aviation resources
- Government transportation authority publications
Gothenburg City Airport's Operational Status
Once a hub for regional flights, Gothenburg City Airport has seen reduced commercial traffic in recent years. Travelers should verify current flight availability when planning itineraries.
The Big Picture
These compact letter combinations—GSE and ESGP—form essential components of global aviation infrastructure. They enable precise communication across languages and borders, demonstrating how standardized systems facilitate international travel.