Definition
Information provided during a preflight weather briefing about airports along or near the planned route that are closed to aircraft operations, along with the reason and expected duration of the closure. Closures may be due to runway construction, snow or ice, flooding, fire, accidents, security events, or other conditions that make the airport unsafe or unavailable for landing or departure.
Plain English
A heads-up during your weather briefing that one or more airports on or near your route are shut down, why they are shut, and how long they are expected to stay that way.
Context Anchor
Seen in a standard weather briefing before flight, especially when checking whether the departure airport, destination, or a planned stop is usable.
Why Pilots Care
Knowing which airports are closed lets pilots choose workable destinations and alternates before takeoff.
Intuition Check
Do not read “closing” as only a business-hours issue, like a store closing for the night. In aviation, an airport closing means aircraft operations there are restricted or not allowed.
Example Sentence 1
During the standard briefing, the specialist noted airport closings at two fields along the route due to runway resurfacing.
Example Sentence 2
I reviewed airport closings before filing to make sure my destination was open.