If flight delays have ever left you frustrated, you may have wondered about the meaning behind those cryptic airport codes. This article examines Kumasi Airport in Ghana through the lens of data analysis, breaking down its identifiers to provide actionable insights for travelers and aviation enthusiasts.
The Anatomy of Airport Codes
Kumasi Airport operates under two primary designations:
- IATA Code: KMS (assigned by the International Air Transport Association)
- ICAO Code: DGSI (assigned by the International Civil Aviation Organization)
The three-letter IATA code typically derives from the airport's name, serving as a quick reference for passengers and airline operations. The four-letter ICAO code follows a more structured system, with the first letter indicating the region (D for Eastern Africa in this case), and is primarily used for flight planning and air traffic control.
Geographical Specifications
Located in Ghana's Ashanti Region, Kumasi Airport sits at an elevation of 942 feet (287 meters) above sea level. Its precise coordinates are:
- Latitude: 6° 42' 52.42" N
- Longitude: 1° 35' 26.95" W
These geographical details are critical for navigation systems, flight path calculations, and meteorological assessments. The airport's elevation and position relative to the equator influence everything from aircraft performance to local weather patterns.
Operational Context
While the reference to "18.99 For Fun" in some documentation remains unclear without additional context, it may relate to aviation radio communications protocols. Such alphanumeric combinations sometimes appear in specialized aeronautical documentation but require domain-specific knowledge for proper interpretation.
Understanding these airport identifiers provides valuable insight into global aviation infrastructure. For travelers, recognizing that KMS represents Kumasi Airport can simplify trip planning and help decode flight information displays. For aviation professionals, the DGSI designation forms part of the precise technical language that keeps global air traffic flowing safely.