Why Mumbai airport is closing both runways for six hours on Nov 20

Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport will remain shut for six hours on November 20 for its annual post-monsoon runway maintenance, the private airport operator said on Wednesday.

In a passenger advisory, the airport announced that operations will be suspended from 11 am to 5 pm to carry out safety checks and repair works essential for maintaining compliance with global aviation standards.

Mumbai Airport also posted on X, saying, “#MumbaiAirport will observe a scheduled runway closure on 20 November 2025 between 1100 hrs and 1700 hrs IST for annual post-monsoon maintenance. Thank you for your support as we continue to prioritise safe and efficient operations.”

As part of the comprehensive maintenance plan, both cross runways will remain non-operational during the six-hour window, the operator said.

The airport handles around 950 flights a day across its two intersecting runways, making it the country’s second busiest after Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.

A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was issued well in advance to help airlines and other stakeholders adjust flight schedules and manpower deployment, Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) said.

“This proactive communication enables seamless coordination across operations and minimises passenger inconvenience,” the operator said.

The maintenance work will include detailed inspections, surface repairs, and technical assessments of runway lighting, markings and drainage systems, according to the operator.

Navi Mumbai International Airport

Meanwhile, Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) will start commercial flight operations from December 2. Initially, there will be 23 scheduled daily departures.

In the first month, the airport will operate for 12 hours between 8 am and 8 pm, handling 23 scheduled daily departures. During this period, the airport will manage up to 10 flight movements per hour, a release said on Monday.

From February 2026, the airport will transition to round-the-clock operations, expanding to 34 daily departures.