Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is an international airport serving Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. It ranks as the second busiest airport in the country for both total and international passenger traffic, following Delhi. In the fiscal year 2019, it stood as the 14th busiest airport in Asia and the 41st busiest airport globally by passenger traffic.
The airport’s operations are overseen by Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), established as a Joint Venture between Adani Enterprises (a subsidiary of the Adani Group) and the Airports Authority of India. In an effort to enhance connectivity, a dedicated six-lane elevated road was inaugurated, connecting the new terminal with the main Western Express Highway. The airport serves as a hub for nonstop or connecting flights to all six inhabited continents. Named after Shivaji (1630–1680), a 17th-century Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire, the airport underwent a renaming process in 1999, transitioning from the former “Sahar Airport” to “Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport.” The title “Maharaj” was subsequently added on August 30, 2018. Conveniently located, the airport spans the suburbs of Santacruz and Sahar Village in Vile Parle East.
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai will be closed for six hours on October 17, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., for maintenance work, as stated by the airport operator. This closure is part of the post-monsoon maintenance plan, focusing on both runways. During this period, flight operations will be suspended. The airport has collaborated with stakeholders to organize flight schedules effectively, ensuring the smooth execution of maintenance. Airlines and other stakeholders were informed six months in advance through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM). The maintenance plan involves inspecting the runway surface for wear and tear to maintain safe and efficient flight operations. The temporary closure is essential for undertaking repair and maintenance activities to uphold the airport’s infrastructure standards. Earlier in the year, on May 2, the airport had conducted pre-monsoon maintenance and repair work on both runways.
Mumbai Airport, managing nearly 900 flights daily, is seeking cooperation and support from passengers in light of its upcoming six-hour closure on October 17 for maintenance work. In recent months, domestic air traffic at Mumbai International Airport has rebounded to 108 percent of the pre-pandemic level in August 2019. August witnessed over 4.32 million passengers at the airport, marking a 32 percent year-on-year increase. International air traffic also experienced a 33 percent surge, recording over 1.1 million passengers. The airport facilitated a total of 20,711 domestic flights and 6,960 international air traffic movements during this period.