(Image source from: Facebook.com/mumbaiairlines)

Flight activities at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) will be paused for six hours on Thursday, November 20, from 11 am to 5 pm. This pause is due to planned runway repairs as part of the yearly maintenance after the monsoon season. The airport management, Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), announced that both runways — the main one (09/27) and the secondary one (14/32) — will be momentarily closed during this time. No aircraft will depart or arrive at the airport while this closure is in effect. The airport added that a required NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) was issued six months prior to inform everyone involved, allowing airlines to change their flight plans in advance and organize accordingly. Travelers planning to fly to or from the city should verify the new timings of their flights since there may be disruptions and delays.

The planned maintenance work on the runways will take place from 11 am until 5 pm.

During this annual upkeep, specialized engineering teams will evaluate both the small and large features of the runway surfaces, which are subject to gradual wear from regular use. Airport representatives mentioned that this preventive maintenance is essential for ensuring the safety, effectiveness, and longevity of the airport's infrastructure. CSMIA is among the world's busiest airports with a single runway, managing nearly 900 flight operations each day. Covering about 1,033 acres, the airside includes a vast system of runways, taxiways, and parking areas.