Flight operations at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai will be suspended for six hours on May 7, as part of the scheduled pre-monsoon maintenance. Both the Primary Runway 09/27 and Secondary Runway 14/32 will be temporarily non-operational from 11 am to 5 pm. Annual maintenance is a routine safety measure to prepare the airport’s airside infrastructure for Mumbai’s monsoon season. The inspection and repair work covers critical surfaces across the airport’s expansive 1,033-acre area.
Airlines informed in advance
Mumbai Airport authorities confirmed that the planning began nearly six months ago in coordination with airlines and aviation stakeholders. Carriers were notified well in advance, allowing them to reschedule flights. Given Mumbai Airport’s status as one of the busiest aviation hubs globally, this exercise is particularly significant.
Recent disruptions highlight challenges
Earlier this year, operational disruptions led to multiple flight cancellations. On March 8, 66 flights were cancelled, including 32 arrivals and 34 departures. A few days prior, on March 3, cancellations rose to 107 flights, with 54 arrivals and 53 departures affected. These disruptions, linked to the ongoing West Asia conflict, caused delays and left several passengers stranded, underlining the importance of proactive operational planning at high-traffic airports like Mumbai.
