Mumbai International Airport Announces 6-Hour Flight Operations Closure on November 20 for Annual Runway Maintenance

Mumbai:

The Mumbai International Airport, jointly operated by Adani Group and Airports Authority of India (AAI), has announced a six-hour suspension of flight operations scheduled for November 20. This temporary closure is necessary to conduct thorough annual post-monsoon runway maintenance work, according to an official statement released Monday.

The planned runway closure has been strategically designed to maintain safety standards, operational reliability, and ensure compliance with international aviation regulations, as explained by Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL).

Both intersecting runways at the facility - 09/27 (main) and 14/32 (secondary) - will be non-operational between 11 am and 5 pm on November 20 as part of the comprehensive maintenance program, the private airport operator confirmed.

Mumbai's airport, which handles approximately 950 flights daily, maintains its position as India's second busiest aviation hub after Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport with its two-runway configuration.

A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) has been issued well in advance to allow airlines and relevant stakeholders sufficient time to adjust their flight schedules and operational planning. MIAL stated that this proactive communication approach facilitates seamless coordination across various operations while minimizing inconvenience to passengers.

For context, a NOTAM typically contains critical information essential for personnel involved in flight operations.

The scheduled maintenance activities will encompass detailed structural inspections, surface repair work, and comprehensive technical assessments of runway lighting systems, markings, and drainage infrastructure, according to the airport operator.