Legally, who can close a runway?

The correct response is that airport management or the military operations office have the legal authority to close a runway. This authority is typically defined by the operational guidelines and regulations governing airport management and air traffic control. Airport management is responsible for overall safety, security, and operational efficiency at the airport, which includes making decisions about runway availability and operations.

In terms of the responsibilities of different personnel, while tower personnel play a crucial role in the daily operations of air traffic control and manage the flow of air traffic in the vicinity of the airport, they do not have the authority to close a runway independently. Emergency response teams are focused on safety and security following incidents but do not have the jurisdictional power to close a runway. Ground control specialists primarily manage ground traffic and coordination but similarly lack the authority to close runways without direction from higher management or authority. Thus, closing a runway is a decision made at the management level, ensuring safety and compliance with regulatory standards.