Definition
Runways that have been taken out of service for good and will not be reopened for aircraft operations. They are identified by a yellow X marking placed at each end of the runway, and at intervals of 1,000 feet along the runway surface. Runway lighting on permanently closed runways is disconnected, and the runway markings (centerline, threshold, designators) are obliterated to prevent any possibility of mistaken use.
Plain English
A runway that has been shut down for good. Big yellow X marks tell pilots not to land or take off there ever again. The lights are turned off and the old runway paint has been removed or covered over.
Context Anchor
Pilots encounter this term when studying airport markings, checking airport information before flight, or looking at a runway surface that has closure markings on it.
Derivation
Permanent comes from Latin words meaning “to remain through.” Closed comes from a word meaning “shut.” Together, they point to a runway that is shut from normal aircraft use as an ongoing condition, not just for a short delay.
Why Pilots Care
Landing on or using a permanently closed runway risks accidents due to lack of maintenance and possible obstructions.
Intuition Check
Do not assume “permanently closed” means the pavement has disappeared or is physically blocked. Here it means the runway is no longer available or authorized for aircraft use, even if it still looks like a runway.
Example Sentence 1
On the airport diagram, the old north-south runway is shown with yellow Xs, indicating it is one of the airport's permanently closed runways.
Example Sentence 2
During preflight planning the student identified the permanently closed runways so there would be no confusion on arrival.