Definition
A runway threshold that has been temporarily moved down the runway, with the pavement behind it closed and unusable for takeoff, landing, or taxi. The closed portion is marked off with a runway closure marking (a yellow X) and the usable runway begins at the new threshold location.
Plain English
Part of the runway has been shut down — usually for construction or repair — so the start of the runway has been moved further along. Pilots can only use the runway from the new starting point onward. The closed-off section cannot be used for anything.
Context Anchor
Seen in runway marking discussions, airport notices, and preflight planning when part of a runway is closed or unusable.
Derivation
‘Relocated’ comes from Latin re- (‘again’) and locare (‘to place’) — literally ‘placed again, in a new spot.’ That fits exactly: the threshold has been picked up and put down somewhere new on the runway.
Why Pilots Care
Pilots must recalculate landing distances from the new point and recognize that less runway length is available ahead of the threshold.
Grounding Statement
On approach or before takeoff, treat the relocated threshold as the place where the runway begins for your operation.
Intuition Check
Do not assume the extra pavement before the relocated runway threshold is usable just because it looks like runway. In this context, “relocated” means the usable starting point has moved, and the old beginning may be closed.
Example Sentence 1
Because of construction at the approach end, the runway had a relocated threshold, so we calculated our takeoff roll from the new starting point.
Example Sentence 2
Construction required a relocated runway threshold marked with arrows, so the airplane touched down well past the original aiming point.