Definition
KAEX is the four-letter ICAO location identifier for Alexandria International Airport in Alexandria, Louisiana. In the United States, ICAO identifiers for most airports are formed by adding the prefix 'K' to the standard three-letter FAA identifier — in this case, AEX becomes KAEX. The identifier is used on instrument approach charts, in flight plans, in weather products, and in ATC communications to specify this airport unambiguously.
Plain English
KAEX is the official code for Alexandria International Airport in Louisiana. It's the name the airport goes by on charts, in flight plans, and in weather reports.
Context Anchor
Seen on instrument approach charts, including the VOR approach figure, to show which airport the procedure belongs to.
Derivation
The 'K' prefix is assigned by ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) to identifiers in the contiguous United States. 'AEX' is the FAA's three-letter identifier for Alexandria, drawn from the city name. Combining them gives the four-letter ICAO form used internationally.
Why Pilots Care
It precisely identifies the airport so the correct approach can be selected and flown without ambiguity.
Intuition Check
Do not treat KAEX as the name of a VOR, fix, or runway. In this context, KAEX identifies the airport: Alexandria International Airport.
Example Sentence 1
The pilot filed the IFR flight plan from KHOU to KAEX with one en route alternate.
Example Sentence 2
ATC issued a clearance direct to KAEX after the pilot reported the missed approach.