Plain English Meaning

These are airports that have been shut down for an unknown length of time, with no announced plan to reopen. They still appear on charts so pilots know they exist, but they are not safe or legal to use, and the runways are marked with a yellow X to make that clear from the air.

Full Definition

Airports that have been formally closed for an indefinite period, with no scheduled reopening date. These airports are removed from active use and are not maintained or monitored to the standards of an operational airport. They are depicted on aeronautical charts and listed in the Chart Supplement with a notation indicating their closed status, and runways are typically marked with a large yellow X to visually warn pilots from above that the surface is not available for landing or takeoff.

Context Anchor

Seen in FAA and discussions where airport availability affects planning, use, and selection.