India

Mumbai Airport to Close Both Runways for Six Hours on Nov. 19 for Annual Maintenance

By Livemint

Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) will suspend flight operations for six hours on Thursday, November 19, 2026, as both its runways undergo scheduled annual maintenance, Hindustan Times reported. The closure will run from 11 AM to 5 PM, affecting both cross runways, RWY 09/27 and RWY 14/32, as part of the airport’s post‑monsoon maintenance programme. Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), which operates the airport, said the work will include detailed runway inspections, surface repairs and technical assessments of critical infrastructure such as runway lighting, markings and drainage systems. The exercise is described by MIAL as a safety‑first measure essential to maintaining the airport’s operational readiness.

MIAL issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) ahead of the closure to inform airlines and other aviation stakeholders, allowing them to revise flight schedules, arrange alternatives and plan manpower. Coordination with airlines and relevant parties began six months before the maintenance window to minimise passenger inconvenience.

CSMIA, spread over approximately 1,900 acres, handles nearly 1,000 air‑traffic movements daily and is a major passenger and cargo hub, managing 55.29 million passengers in FY 2025‑26 and more than 0.85 million metric tonnes of cargo annually. The airport is operated by MIAL, a joint venture between Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI), with AAHL holding a 74% stake. In December 2024, CSMIA received Level 5 accreditation for Airport Customer Experience from Airports Council International, becoming the first Indian airport and the third globally to earn the recognition.