There are many reasons for public use airports to "close," which means that the public access is denied. The privately owned airport may continue to function as an airport, but for private use only.

The main concern to the Division of Aeronautics is safety. The decision to close publicly owned airports can be based upon a variety of reasons from community pressure relating to noise and air quality concerns, or safety concerns due to ineffective maintenance of runways, aprons and/or taxiways or obstructions like trees growing or cell towers erected into the approach services.

The following list is a compilation of five CASP Inventory Element reports that identifies airports that have been removed from public access since 1990.