---
title: "LGW is which airport? London"
description: "LGW is Gatwick Airport in London, United Kingdom. Why the code is LGW and not something you could guess, what EGKK means, and the codes it gets mixed up with."
url: https://atoneplace.net/airport/lgw/
site: "At One Place"
---

# What airport is LGW?

**LGW is: Gatwick Airport**

London, United Kingdom

## Why the code is LGW

LondonGatWick, consonants again.

The airport authority or a contemporaneous record states this directly.

## The airport

- **IATA code:** LGW
- **ICAO code:** EGKK
- **Airport:** Gatwick Airport
- **City:** London, United Kingdom
- **Code origin:** Documented

Gatwick has the busiest single runway of any airport in the world, moving around 55 aircraft an hour off one strip. It has a second runway that is too close to the first to be used simultaneously and serves as a taxiway.

## The other code, EGKK

Every airport has two codes. The three-letter IATA code, LGW, is the one on your boarding pass and your luggage tag, and it is assigned for commercial use. The four-letter ICAO code, EGKK, is the one pilots and controllers use, and it is assigned geographically: the first letter or two identify the region, so every airport in the same part of the world shares a prefix. That is why EGKK looks nothing like LGW.

## Common questions

### What airport is LGW?

Gatwick Airport, in London, United Kingdom.

### Why is London's airport called LGW?

LondonGatWick, consonants again.

### What is the difference between LGW and EGKK?

LGW is the IATA code, used commercially — tickets, timetables, luggage tags. EGKK is the ICAO code, used operationally by pilots and air traffic control, and assigned geographically by region.

## Related pages

- [United Kingdom](https://atoneplace.net/country/united-kingdom/)
- [The flag of United Kingdom](https://atoneplace.net/flag/united-kingdom/)
- [Airport codes in United Kingdom](https://atoneplace.net/airport/in/united-kingdom/)
- [What airport is LHR?](https://atoneplace.net/airport/lhr/)
- [What airport is STN?](https://atoneplace.net/airport/stn/)
- [What airport is MAN?](https://atoneplace.net/airport/man/)
- [What airport is LTN?](https://atoneplace.net/airport/ltn/)
- [What airport is LCY?](https://atoneplace.net/airport/lcy/)
- [What airport is EDI?](https://atoneplace.net/airport/edi/)

## Sources

- OurAirports — OurAirports (https://ourairports.com/data/) [Public domain]