Mumbai airport braces for six-hour shutdown: What you need to know about the Nov 20 closure

Mumbai airport

Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) will suspend all flight operations for six hours on November 20 to conduct its annual post-monsoon runway maintenance. Both the primary and secondary runways will be closed from 11 am to 5 pm, with no flights arriving or departing during this period.

The airport operator, Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), confirmed the planned closure, stating it is a mandatory procedure to uphold “safety, reliability and compliance with global aviation standards.”

In a statement, MIAL emphasised that this is a scheduled activity for which a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was issued a full six months in advance. This proactive measure allowed airlines and other stakeholders to adjust flight schedules and manage manpower planning well ahead of time, aiming to minimise passenger disruption.

The maintenance work forms a core part of the airport’s operational readiness programme. Specialised engineering teams will carry out detailed inspections, surface repairs and technical assessments of critical infrastructure, including runway lighting, markings and drainage systems.

The work will also involve scrutinising the micro and macro structures of the runway surfaces, which endure gradual wear from daily use. Airport officials have described this preventive maintenance as vital for ensuring the long-term safety and efficiency of the airport’s extensive airside infrastructure.

Passengers travelling to or from Mumbai on November 20 are strongly advised to check their flight status with their respective airlines. While the advance notice was intended to facilitate a smooth rescheduling process, some disruptions and delays are anticipated in the hours surrounding the closure.

As one of the world's busiest single-runway operations, handling approximately 900 flight movements daily, the scheduled shutdown represents a significant logistical undertaking. The six-hour window provides a critical opportunity for CSMIA to reinforce its “safety-first” approach and maintain the high standards required for its intensive operations.