Mumbai’s international airport, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), will remain closed on May 8 for scheduled pre-monsoon maintenance. No flights will take off or land at the airport during this time.
Services at the airport will be suspended for six hours from 11am to 5pm for annual runway maintenance ahead of the monsoons. Two runways, the primary runway (09/27) and the secondary runway (14/32), will undergo infrastructure upgrades during this period and won’t be operational.
What maintenance works will be conducted?
The scheduled maintenance is carried out yearly and is a vital measure to ensure safety and efficiency during the rainy season. Maintenance work will include minor repairs of wear and tear to the runway surfaces, implementing procedures to prevent waterlogging and inspection of drainage systems’ efficiency to manage heavy downpours common during Mumbai monsoons.
Airlines informed of Mumbai airport closure 6 months ago
The international airport in Santacruz handles almost 900 flights daily across its two terminals.
Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), the operator of the airport, had informed airlines six months in advance through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) so that they could adjust their flight schedules and prevent disruptions to journeys. This closure has been coordinated with airlines, air traffic control, and ground staff.
This Mumbai airport closure is unrelated to the ongoing shutdown of 16 airports in the north and western states of India after the launch of Operation Sindoor early in the morning on May 7.
Passengers should check airline advisories and flight status
Passengers flying in and out of Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport have been advised to check updated travel advisories from their airlines. Flight carriers like Akasa and Spice Jet have issued notices to passengers warning them about possible delays and have advised travellers to check flight status before arriving at the airport to avoid any inconvenience.