What is the story about?
Mumbai Airport News: Flight operations at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport will be completely halted for six hours on May 7. The shutdown
will take place from 11 am to 5 pm, during which no flights will take off or land.
Why is the airport shutting down?
The temporary closure is part of essential pre-monsoon maintenance work. Both runways will remain closed so that repair and inspection work can be carried out safely. Such maintenance is done every year to ensure smooth operations during Mumbai’s heavy monsoon season.
Both runways to remain closed
During this period, the airport will be fully non-operational for flights as both its primary and secondary runways will be shut. This means there will be no arrivals or departures for the entire six-hour window.
Airlines informed in advance
Airport authorities had planned this shutdown in advance and informed airlines earlier. This has allowed carriers to reschedule, cancel, or adjust flights to reduce inconvenience for passengers.
The airport operator, Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), said the work is essential for maintaining the large airside area, spread across 1,033 acres.
"As part of CSMIA''s comprehensive monsoon contingency plan, stakeholder consultation was carried out six months in advance to notify airlines and other stakeholders, enabling airlines to adjust their flight schedules well ahead of time, enabling them to plan appropriately," it said.
What passengers should do
Travellers flying to or from Mumbai on May 7 are advised to:
- Check flight status with their airline
- Reach out for rescheduling if needed
- Plan their journey in advance to avoid last-minute issues
