Flight services at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport will remain suspended for six hours on May 7 as authorities carry out scheduled pre-monsoon maintenance on both operational runways. According to airport officials, runway 09/27 and runway 14/32 will stay shut from 11 am to 5 pm, making the airport temporarily non-functional during the period. The annual maintenance exercise has been planned as part of preparations for the upcoming monsoon season to ensure safe and uninterrupted flight operations during Mumbai’s heavy rainfall. Officials stated that the repair and inspection work is necessary to maintain the airport’s vast airside infrastructure, which covers nearly 1,033 acres.
Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), which manages the airport, said discussions with airlines and key aviation stakeholders had begun nearly six months ago to minimise inconvenience to travellers. The operator noted that airlines were informed well in advance so they could revise schedules, reschedule flights, and make operational adjustments accordingly. Authorities said the temporary shutdown is part of the airport’s broader monsoon contingency strategy aimed at reducing risks during adverse weather conditions. Officials added that prior planning was essential considering Mumbai airport is among the busiest aviation hubs globally, handling heavy passenger and aircraft movement throughout the day.
Previous operational disruptions at Mumbai airport had resulted in significant flight cancellations and inconvenience to passengers. On March 8, airport operations witnessed 66 cancelled air traffic movements, including 32 arrivals and 34 departures. Earlier, on March 3, the situation was more severe when a total of 107 flights were cancelled, comprising 54 incoming and 53 outgoing services. The disruptions were linked to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which impacted airline schedules and operations across several routes. Many passengers were stranded at the airport during those cancellations, leading to delays, confusion, and travel difficulties for flyers waiting to reach their destinations.