United States Department of Transportation

Open or Close an Airport or Runway

Before opening or closing an airport or runway, airport sponsors should find out the necessary steps and contact their nearest FAA District or Regional Airports Office.

Opening and Closing Airports and Landing Strips
If you want to …	Then …
Open an Airport, Heliport, Seaplane Base, or Runway	Contact the nearest FAA District or Regional Airports Office to find out --- What forms and materials you must provide, including Notice of Landing Area Proposal, FAA Form 7480-1 Deadlines for notifying interested parties Contact your state aviation office to learn about any state and local laws, ordinances, or regulations you must follow. Review additional resources: FAA Advisory Circulars, including Airport Data and Information Program, AC 150/5300-19 As the FAA moves toward electronic data submission, sections of this AC may be used as those portions of the data system become available. In the interim, please refer to the current guidance provided in AC 150/5200-35A, for paper-based data submissions. Submitting the Airport Master Record in Order to Activate a New Airport, AC 150/5200-35 Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters, Order 7400.2 Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)
Close an Airport or Runway	When considering closing a public-use airport, contact the nearest FAA District or Regional Airports Office prior to taking any action.
Obtain an Airport Master Record for an Existing Airport	Go to Airport Data and Information Portal, enter the desired airport Location Identifier, click the Execute Search button, and then click the Adobe Acrobat icon at the right end of the list item.

Last updated: Tuesday, August 2, 2022