1. (1) Any airport may be closed by the Aeronautics Bureau in one of the following ways:

   1. (a) Mandatory Closure - In consultation with the Airport Inspector conducting the most recent annual airport inspection, the Chief is authorized to issue a written “Mandatory Closure Notice” to any airport owner that fails to maintain the licensed landing area within the minimum safety requirements prescribed by this chapter. All landing areas for which an operating license has been issued must be maintained in a condition that meets or exceeds the minimum safety requirements set forth in this chapter. A “Mandatory Closure Notice” will be issued if it is reasonably determined by the Chief that violation(s) of the minimum safety requirements defined by this chapter may pose a substantial and continuing threat to the safety of aircraft operating to, from or on the subject airport. The written notice will contain a specific description of the safety violations giving cause for the closure and the actions that must be taken by the airport owner to correct each specified violation. Unless otherwise appealed by the airport owner, the mandatory closure of an airport will become effective thirty (30) days after the date of issuance of the “Mandatory Closure Notice”.
   2. (b) Emergency Closure - In consultation with the Chief, an Airport Inspector is authorized to issue an “Emergency Closure Notice” when he or she reasonably determines, by an on-site visit, a condition exists that constitutes a substantial and immediate threat to the safety of aircraft operating to, from or an airport. An emergency closure will take effect immediately. Upon a determination that an emergency closure is warranted, the Airport Inspector will, without delay, notify the airport owner of the observed safety violation(s) and will immediately contact the FAA for the issuance of a closure NOTAM. It is the airport owner’s responsibility to notify all airport tenants of the closure. Within twenty-four (24) hours of the emergency closure, the Airport Inspector will provide the airport owner with written verification of the closure action. The written verification will contain a specific description of the safety violations giving cause for the emergency closure and the actions that must be taken by the airport owner to correct each specified violation. The emergency closure will be rescinded only when the airport owner has taken the neccessary corrective actions and verified by the Bureau.
   3. (c) Voluntary Closure - A voluntary closure is an action initiated by the airport owner. The owner of a licensed airport may initiate procedures to permanently close a landing area by notifying the Bureau in writing of an intent to abandon the site as a landing area. The airport owner’s written notification of voluntary closure must set forth the reasons for closure and the proposed date of closure. The written notification should also describe how the airport property will be used in the future. It is the airport owner’s responsibility to notify all airport tenants and known airport users of the intent to close the landing area and to show proof to the Bureau that such notification has occurred. If the Chief concurs with the request for voluntary closure, the Bureau will notify the airport owner in writing that the airport may be temporarily closed pending final approval for permanent closure.
   4. (d) Maintenance/Construction Closure - An airport may be temporarily closed by the airport owner for the purpose of performing maintenance or construction work that may interfere with the safety of aircraft operating to, from or on the airport. It is the responsibility of the airport owner to contact the FAA for the purpose of issuing a NOTAM about the airport closure. The airport owner shall also notify the Bureau in writing about the work to be performed and the anticipated beginning and ending dates of the closure.
2. (2) An airport that becomes subject to either a mandatory, emergency or voluntary closure that is permanent will be deemed in noncompliance with any written grant agreements that the airport owner has entered into with the department during a period of twenty (20) years prior to the closure action. Airport owners that accept a grant or grant from the Bureau and that fail to comply with the terms of the grant agreements may be required to fully reimburse all monies to the Department that have been accepted by the airport within the preceding twenty (20) years of the closure date. Unless otherwise waived by the Department the amount to be reimbursed for noncompliance with the terms of the grant agreements will be for the total amount of all monies granted by the Department within twenty (20) years of the proposed closure action.
3. (3) All closed airports must place yellow X’s on each runway end in accordance with the most recent version of FAA Advisory Circular 150/5340-1. Turf or sod runways must have all runway markings removed.

Author: William F. Patty, Chief Counsel

Statutory Authority: Code of Alabama 1975, 23-1-357(c), 23-1-359

Editor’s Note: Alabama Department of Aeronautics has been moved to the Alabama Department of Transportation pursuant to the Code of Ala. 1975, §23-1-359, Act No. 2000-220, S. 404.

History: New Rule: Filed January 28, 1998; effective March 4, 1998. Amended: Published April 30, 2026; effective June 14, 2026.