Mumbai Airport Suspends All Flights on May 7 for Pre-Monsoon Runway Maintenance
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai will shut down both runways on Thursday, May 7, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM IST. No flights will land or take off during this six-hour window.
The closure is part of CSMIA’s annual pre-monsoon maintenance program. Both the primary runway (09/27) and the secondary runway (14/32) will be non-operational while engineering teams carry out rubber removal, drainage cleaning, asphalt inspections, and repairs to the Instrument Landing System (ILS) and runway lighting.
Mumbai’s airport handles nearly 1,000 flight movements daily, making it the world’s busiest single-runway hub. The shutdown affects both domestic and international flights during the maintenance window.
Why is the maintenance happening now?
Mumbai’s monsoon season brings torrential rain, low visibility, and waterlogging — all of which put extreme stress on runway surfaces. High-speed landings leave rubber deposits that become dangerously slick when wet, and microcracks in the asphalt can expand under hydraulic pressure during heavy downpours.
The airport operator (MIAL) conducts this maintenance twice a year — once before the monsoon and once after — and coordinated with airlines six months in advance to minimize disruption.
Which Airlines Are Affected?
Every airline operating to or from Mumbai during the 11:00 AM–5:00 PM window on May 7 is affected. Flights have been canceled, rescheduled, or rerouted. Here are the major carriers that have confirmed schedule changes:
International airlines
Domestic and Indian carriers
Airlines may divert some flights to alternate airports. The most likely diversion points are:
- Pune (PNQ) — roughly 150 km from Mumbai
- Ahmedabad (AMD) — roughly 530 km from Mumbai
- Goa (GOI) — roughly 580 km from Mumbai
Long-haul international flights could also be rerouted via Delhi, Bengaluru, or Chennai.
What Passengers Should Do
If you have a flight to or from Mumbai on May 7, here’s how to stay ahead of the disruption.
Check your flight status now
Don’t wait until you’re at the airport. Most airlines have already rescheduled affected flights — check your airline’s app, website, or the CSMIA flight tracker on Wego to see if your flight time has changed.
If your flight falls inside or near the 11:00 AM–5:00 PM window, expect a reschedule to earlier in the morning or later in the evening.
Contact your airline for rebooking
If your flight has been canceled rather than rescheduled, contact your airline directly for rebooking options. Since CSMIA announced this closure months ago, most carriers are offering free rebooking or rerouting for affected passengers.
Keep your booking reference and ID handy when you call or use the airline’s online change tool.
Plan extra buffer time
Even if your flight is outside the closure window, expect knock-on delays. A six-hour shutdown at an airport handling 1,000 daily movements creates a backlog that ripples into the evening.
If you’re departing Mumbai on a late-afternoon or evening flight on May 7, arrive early and be prepared for possible delays.
Terminals remain open
While no flights will operate during the shutdown, CSMIA’s terminals will stay open. If you’re already checked in or transiting, you’ll have access to terminal facilities — but you won’t be able to board until operations resume around 5:00 PM after a final safety inspection.
Key Details at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Airport | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) |
| Date | Thursday, May 7, 2026 |
| Closure window | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM IST |
| Runways closed | Both — 09/27 (primary) and 14/32 (secondary) |
| Reason | Annual pre-monsoon runway maintenance |
| Terminals | Open (no boarding during closure) |
| Expected resumption | Thursday evening, after safety inspection |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mumbai airport completely closed on May 7?
Not for the entire day. Both runways will be shut from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM IST only. Flights before and after this window will operate normally, though delays are possible due to schedule bunching.
Will I get a refund if my flight is canceled?
Since this is a planned closure announced months in advance, most airlines are offering free rebooking or rerouting rather than automatic refunds. Contact your airline directly to confirm your options.
Can I still reach Mumbai airport during the closure?
Yes. The terminals remain open throughout. You can arrive, check in, use lounges and restaurants, and collect luggage — but no aircraft will depart or arrive until the runways reopen around 5:00 PM.
When will flights resume after the maintenance?
Normal operations are expected to resume promptly on Thursday evening after the airside management team completes a final safety inspection following the maintenance work.
Sources
- ANI News — Mumbai Airport to halt flight operations for 6 hours on May 7 for crucial runway upgrades
- Free Press Journal — CSMIA To Suspend All Flight Operations For 6 Hours On Thursday
- Khaleej Times — India’s Mumbai airport to halt all flights for 6 hours on May 7
- India TV News — Mumbai Airport to remain shut for 6 hours tomorrow: Check timing, advisory
- Travel And Tour World — Emirates joins British Airways, Air India, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, and Singapore Airlines to Reschedule Flights
- Free Press Journal — Mumbai Airport Runways To Be Non-Operational For 6 Hours On May 7
- NewsX — Mumbai Airport To Shut For 6 Hours on May 7: Reason, Timings, Flight Schedule
- CSMIA — Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (Official Website)
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
