Mumbai's bustling Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) will witness a complete operational halt for six hours on Monday, November 20, as authorities carry out crucial maintenance work on the runways and associated infrastructure.
Essential Maintenance Schedule
The airport will suspend all flight operations between 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM on November 20, 2023. This pre-planned shutdown is part of the airport's routine maintenance protocol to ensure passenger safety and operational efficiency during the peak winter travel season.
What Travelers Need to Know
Passengers with flights scheduled during this six-hour window should:
- Contact their respective airlines for updated flight schedules and rescheduling options
- Arrive at the airport well in advance if their flights are scheduled immediately before or after the closure period
- Monitor official airport announcements and airline notifications for real-time updates
- Expect potential ripple effects on flight schedules throughout the day
Airport Authority's Preparedness
Airport officials have coordinated with all major airlines operating from CSMIA to minimize passenger inconvenience. The maintenance work includes:
- Runway surface inspection and repair
- Navigation equipment calibration
- Aerobridge maintenance checks
- Taxiway improvements
"Such periodic maintenance closures are standard practice at major international airports worldwide to maintain the highest safety standards," explained a senior airport official. "We've scheduled this during relatively lower traffic hours to minimize disruption."
Alternative Travel Arrangements
While some airlines might reroute flights through nearby airports like Pune or Ahmedabad, most carriers are expected to reschedule affected flights to operate before or after the closure window. International carriers have been notified well in advance to adjust their flight plans accordingly.
This maintenance closure marks one of the few planned shutdowns at India's second-busiest airport this year, emphasizing the airport management's commitment to maintaining world-class infrastructure and ensuring passenger safety during the busy holiday travel period.
