Mumbai Airport to remain shut for six hours today for pre-monsoon maintenance
New Delhi:Flight operations at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport will remain suspended for six hours today, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., as both its runways will be temporarily closed for scheduled pre-monsoon maintenance work, officials said.
The shutdown will affect Runway 09/27 and Runway 14/32, making the airport completely non-operational during the designated period.
The maintenance exercise is part of the airport’s annual monsoon preparedness programme aimed at ensuring operational safety and smooth flight movement during Mumbai’s heavy rainy season.
Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), which operates the airport, said the work is necessary for the upkeep and safety of the vast airside infrastructure spread across 1,033 acres.
Acknowledging the impact that a temporary closure can have at one of the world’s busiest airports, the authorities said consultations with airlines and key stakeholders had begun nearly six months ago so flight schedules could be adjusted in advance and passenger inconvenience minimised.
“As part of CSMIA’s comprehensive monsoon contingency plan, stakeholder consultations were carried out six months in advance to notify airlines and other stakeholders, enabling airlines to adjust their flight schedules well ahead of time and plan accordingly,” the airport operator said.
The airport has also witnessed major disruptions in recent months. On March 8, a total of 66 air traffic movements were cancelled, including 32 arrivals and 34 departures.
Earlier, on March 3, operations were hit more severely, with 107 cancellations recorded, including 54 arrivals and 53 departures.
Those disruptions were linked to the ongoing West Asia conflict, causing inconvenience to passengers and leaving many stranded at the airport.
(DD News)
