By Mohammed Yousif 
Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) will shut all flight operations on November 20 from 11 am to 5 pm to carry out scheduled safety maintenance.
Airport authorities will inspect the runway surface, drainage network, and essential safety systems during this six-hour window. They call the shutdown routine but essential, especially because Mumbai handles hundreds of flights every day. The controlled pause helps the airport meet global safety standards and prevents operational issues during the busy winter season.
Why the Airport Needs a Shutdown
Officials say the post-monsoon inspection is crucial. Heavy rainfall during monsoon months causes wear and tear, and maintenance teams need this window to repair affected areas quickly and safely.
What Passengers Should Do
The airport has advised passengers to check their flight status directly with airlines. Those traveling through Mumbai during the closure—especially connecting passengers—should confirm any schedule changes in advance to avoid confusion.
CSMIA says it will resume normal operations at 5 pm and requests full cooperation from travelers.
IndiGo To Begin Operations From Navi Mumbai International Airport
In a separate update, IndiGo announced on November 15 that it will start flights from the newly launched Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) on December 25.
The airline will connect NMIA to 10 cities: Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, North Goa (Mopa), Jaipur, Nagpur, Cochin, and Mangalore. IndiGo says it will add more direct routes as the airport scales up operations.
Navi Mumbai International Airport: Mumbai’s Second Major Air Hub
NMIA aims to reduce pressure on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and serve the growing travel demand in Mumbai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the airport last month and called it a major milestone in India’s aviation growth and infrastructure expansion.