Why CWB? The Story Behind Curitiba’s Airport Code
Anyone traveling to Curitiba has probably noticed that Afonso Pena International Airport, located in São José dos Pinhais, has the code CWB. But do you know why it is CWB and not CUR, which would seem more logical? Let’s explain the story behind it!
The CWB Code and the CUR Abbreviation: The Origin of the Confusion
The code CUR would indeed be the most logical choice for Curitiba, but it wasn’t possible to use it. The reason? It was already assigned to Curaçao, a Caribbean island. The IATA (International Air Transport Association), which is responsible for standardizing airport codes, uses a system that typically takes the first three letters of a city’s name to form the airport code.
The Random Alternative: CWB
Since CUR was unavailable for Curitiba, IATA opted for a simple but not-so-obvious solution: replacing the letter U with W, creating the code CWB. Although there is no official explanation for why W was chosen, IATA stated that this substitution was made randomly. Thus, the code CWB was established, uniquely representing the name Curitiba.
Curitiba: History, Modernity, and Connections
Although the CWB code originated from a technical and random decision, Curitiba is a city that blends history with innovation. With its urban planning, modern infrastructure, and high quality of life, Curitiba is a fascinating destination for tourists from around the world, receiving flights from Brazil and other countries under the unique CWB code.
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