An ILS approach clearance is not a landing clearance. Learn when ATC can clear an ILS to a closed runway and what the pilot must do.
An ILS approach clearance authorises an aircraft to fly the ILS procedure; it is not permission to land. ATC may, where local rules allow, clear an aircraft for an ILS to a closed runway for a missed approach, low approach or circling manoeuvre, but not for a landing on that runway.
What does “cleared ILS approach” authorise?
In real-world aviation, an ILS approach clearance authorises the pilot to join and fly the published instrument procedure using its localiser, glideslope, altitudes, decision altitude or height, and missed approach.
The clearance does not permit an unrestricted descent. Under FAA procedures, for example, the aircraft normally remains at its last assigned altitude until established on a published segment of the approach, unless ATC assigns another altitude. National rules and the precise clearance wording can differ.
A mistake we see constantly is treating an approach clearance as if it includes permission to touch down. These are separate ATC actions:
| ATC instruction | What it authorises | What it does not authorise |
|---|---|---|
| ILS approach clearance | Flying the published ILS and its missed approach, subject to assigned restrictions | Landing, ignoring minima or using an unavailable procedure |
| Landing clearance | Landing on the specified open runway, subject to the pilot’s judgement | Landing on another runway or disregarding an unsafe condition |
| Low-approach approval | An approved pass without touching down | A touchdown, touch-and-go or stop-and-go |
When can ATC clear an ILS to a closed runway?
ATC can clear the approach when the procedure remains available and everyone understands that the aircraft will not land on the closed runway. The controlling authority’s rules, traffic situation and reason for the closure still govern whether that clearance can be issued.
Typical reasons include:
- A training or checking approach that will end in the published or assigned missed approach.
- A specifically approved low approach that keeps the aircraft clear of personnel, vehicles and equipment.
- An ILS followed by a circling manoeuvre to a different, open runway, where circling is published and operationally permitted.
The runway closure must be communicated clearly enough to prevent any expectation of landing. While the runway remains closed, ATC should not issue a routine landing clearance for it. If it is formally reopened while the aircraft is approaching, ATC may then issue a landing clearance in the normal way.
Does a closed runway mean the ILS is unavailable?
No. Runway status, ILS serviceability and approach-procedure availability are related but separate matters.
A runway might be closed because of surface work while its ILS remains operational. Conversely, an open runway may have an unserviceable glideslope or an entire approach marked unavailable. Construction cranes, vehicles near the antennas or work inside the ILS critical area may make the procedure unsafe even though the radio signal can still be received.
Pilots must therefore check both the runway closure and the status of the procedure. The chart supplies the course, altitudes, minima and missed approach; our guide to reading procedure notes, minima and the missed-approach box explains what must be identified before accepting the clearance. Operational notices and ATC information then establish whether the charted procedure is actually available.
If the approach itself is declared unavailable, an ATC transmission does not make it usable. The pilot should query the clearance and request another approach.
What should the pilot do after receiving this clearance?
- Confirm the runway status and plan. If anything is ambiguous, use plain language such as
Confirm Runway 27 is closed; we will fly the ILS and go missed. - Verify that the ILS procedure is available. Check the correct runway, frequency, inbound course, navigation data, approach notes and any restrictions affecting the localiser or glideslope.
- Brief the termination point. For a straight-in ILS ending in a missed approach, brief the decision altitude or height and the published or assigned missed-approach instructions. Our structured ILS briefing sequence covers the items that are most often omitted.
- Do not descend for a landing merely because the runway is visible. At the planned point, execute the missed approach, approved low approach or authorised circling manoeuvre. An early decision not to land does not automatically permit an early turn away from the protected procedure.
- Challenge contradictory instructions. If ATC issues a landing clearance while the runway is still reported closed, ask for confirmation rather than assuming the closure has been cancelled.
At a non-towered airport there may be no separate ATC landing clearance, but a runway closure still applies. An approach clearance from an approach-control facility does not override it. Only specific authority under the applicable rules or the pilot’s emergency authority changes that position.
Does an ILS clearance permit autoland?
No. An ILS approach clearance neither authorises nor guarantees an autoland. Autoland depends on the aircraft, operator, crew, runway, ILS category and protected signal environment being approved and serviceable; our explanation of autoland prerequisites and limitations covers those separate requirements.
A closed runway must not be used for an autoland simply because the autopilot can track its ILS. The aircraft must instead follow the agreed missed-approach, low-approach or circling plan.