Aruba Airport Code (AUA): IATA, ICAO & Travel Guide

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Oranjestad ยท Aruba

Aruba Airport Code (AUA): IATA, ICAO & Travel Guide

Use the AUA airport abbreviation to track live departures and arrivals. Learn about the mandatory ED card, the strict separation of US and International gates, and how US Pre-clearance works before you fly home.

Quick answer: AUA is the three-letter IATA code for Queen Beatrix International Airport in Aruba. The ICAO code is TNCA. It is the sole commercial airport serving the island.
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Independent guide: This guide is not affiliated with the Aruba Airport Authority N.V. or the Aruba Tourism Authority. Always confirm live entry requirements, ED card rules, and terminal flows directly with official sources prior to travel.
Mandatory Entry Requirement: All visitors to Aruba must complete the digital Embarkation/Disembarkation (ED) Card before arrival. It is free to fill out on the official government website. Avoid third-party sites that charge a fee for this free form.
Immediate code answer

What is the Aruba airport code abbreviation?

AUA is the official three-letter IATA abbreviation for Queen Beatrix International Airport. Because it is the only commercial airport on the island, the aruba airport code international designation simply refers to AUA. The ICAO code used by air traffic control is TNCA.

IATA / passengerAUA

Used on tickets, baggage tags, and flight searches.

ICAOTNCA

Used for operational aviation and flight-tracking.

Airport NameQueen Beatrix

The official name of the airport.

LocationOranjestad

The capital city where the airport is located.

Addressing the “number” query: Searches for the “aruba airport code number” often stem from confusion. Airport identifying codes are alphabetical (AUA). If you need to contact the airport by phone, the main number is +297 524 2424.
Interactive traveler tools

Build a practical AUA travel plan

These tools calculate planning guidance directly on your device. They do not replace official airline guidance or live airport operational changes.

Recommended airport arrival time

Because of US Customs, departure times differ drastically.

Choose your flight time.

Mandatory ED Card Reminder

You must fill this out online before landing in Aruba.

Terminal Layout

Aruba airport code departures and the terminal map

Strictly Divided

When looking at an aruba airport code map, the most important thing to know is that the terminal is strictly divided into two operational zones. You cannot mix or cross between these zones once you pass the initial checkpoints.

US

US-Bound Departures

Passengers flying to the United States use a dedicated check-in area and terminal wing. After checking in, you must clear local Aruba immigration, and then proceed through the US Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) Pre-clearance facility before reaching your gate.

INTL

Non-US / Local Departures

Passengers flying to Europe, Canada, South America, or other Caribbean islands use the standard International departures wing. You will clear standard Aruba outbound immigration and security, but you do not go through the US Customs facility.

Verify your departure zone Open the official AUA Terminal Map ↗. Next step: Look at the color-coded sections. Identify where your airline’s check-in counter is located so your taxi driver drops you off at the correct entrance (US vs. Non-US).
Returning to the USA

How US Pre-clearance works at AUA

Queen Beatrix International Airport features a US Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) Pre-clearance facility. This means you clear US immigration and customs while still in Aruba.

  1. 1
    Check-in and bag drop

    Check in at your airline’s US-bound counter. You will drop your bags here.

  2. 2
    Aruba Outbound Immigration & Security

    Proceed through standard Aruba passport control to exit the country, followed by an initial security screening.

  3. 3
    US Customs and Border Protection (USCBP)

    Enter the US Pre-clearance hall. You will speak to a US Customs officer and present your passport. Note: Aruba utilizes a Baggage Image and Weight Identification System, meaning most passengers no longer have to physically claim and re-drop their checked bags in this hall, though officers may still request bag inspections.

  4. 4
    Second Security & US Gates

    After clearing US Customs, you pass through a final TSA-style security checkpoint and enter the US departure gates. When you land in the United States, you arrive as a domestic passenger and can walk straight out of the airport.

Time Warning: The US Pre-clearance process involves multiple lines (Check-in, Aruba Immigration, Security 1, US Customs, Security 2). Do not arrive late. The airport mandates arriving 3 hours before US-bound flights, especially on busy weekends.
Before leaving

AUA travel-day checklist

Checklist progress is saved on this device.

Search questions answered

Top FAQs about the Aruba airport code and travel

What is the Aruba airport code?
The official three-letter passenger (IATA) airport code for Aruba is AUA.
What is the Aruba airport code ICAO?
The ICAO code for Queen Beatrix International Airport in Aruba is TNCA. This code is primarily used for air traffic control and flight tracking.
What country is the Aruba airport code in?
The AUA airport code is located in Aruba, which is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the southern Caribbean Sea.
What is the Aruba airport code number?
Airport codes do not use numbers; the correct alphabetical code is AUA. If you need to call the airport, the main contact number is +297 524 2424.
Do I clear US customs in Aruba?
Yes. If you are flying from Aruba to the United States, you will go through a US Pre-clearance facility at AUA. You will land in the US as a domestic passenger.
How early should I arrive at the Aruba airport for departures?
For US-bound flights (which require US Pre-clearance), you should arrive 3 hours prior to departure. For non-US international flights, 2 hours is generally sufficient.
Do I have to pay for the Aruba ED card?
No. The official Aruba Embarkation/Disembarkation (ED) card is free to fill out on the official government website. Beware of third-party sites that try to charge a fee.
Editorial transparency

Official sources and update policy

This universal SEO master audit prioritizes data directly from the Aruba Airport Authority and the Aruba Tourism Authority to ensure passengers have accurate terminal and immigration data.

Aruba Airport Authority N.V.Official guidance on terminal maps, US Pre-clearance flows, and live departures.
Aruba Online EDThe official government portal for the mandatory Embarkation/Disembarkation card.
Last fact-check: August 25, 2026. Pre-clearance flows and ED card requirements are subject to change. Always verify via the provided official links before departure.