Mumbai: Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) concluded its scheduled runway maintenance, making the airport monsoon-ready. In a calibrated six-hour operation, it inspected both the runways and restored them to optimal condition.
Mumbai International Airport Ltd. (MIAL), the operator of CSMIA, completed the maintenance of runways 14/32 and 09/27 on Thursday as a part of its annual pre-monsoon maintenance. The operator said that both runways were inspected and restored to optimal condition during the maintenance work carried out from 11am to 5pm.
As a part of this large-scale preventative maintenance activity, CSMIA carried out pavement maintenance, electrical maintenance, rubber removal on the runway, surface marking and major drain cleaning work.
CSMIA completes vital pre-monsoon runway maintenance, ensuring operational readiness ahead of the monsoon season | File Photo
A dedicated team thoroughly inspected over 3,000 runway lights for signs of wear and tear. Additionally, drain pits and chambers along the runway strip, as well as critical lighting, IT, and navigational aid cables, were inspected for integrity.
This annual preventative runway maintenance is undertaken to optimise the airport’s operational efficiency. As a critical aviation hub handling over 950 daily flight movements, CSMIA has to prioritise infrastructure resilience and passenger safety without compromise.
“As one of the busiest airports in the country, CSMIA takes immense pride in its ability to maintain safe, seamless, and uninterrupted operations, supported by carefully planned and precisely executed maintenance. Regular runway inspections and timely maintenance are essential to keeping the runways in optimal condition and maintaining infrastructure to meet the highest standards,” said the airport in its official statement.
The Free Press Journal had reported on April 19 that the airport’s runways would be temporarily non-operational on May 8 for the maintenance work. A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was issued in advance to stakeholders, allowing flight schedules to be planned and minimising inconvenience to passengers.
