Mumbai Airport to remain shut for 6 hours tomorrow

Highlights

All the flights have been rescheduled to avoid inconvenience and confusion
The airport will remain shut in view of maintenance work on the runways
Earlier, a Bangalore-bound flight returned to Mumbai after a burning smell persisted

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai will remain shut for six hours, i.e. from 11 am to 5 pm tomorrow (October 18) in view of maintenance work on the runways, an official statement from the airport authorities said.

A statement issued by the airport said that all the flights have been rescheduled o avoid inconvenience and confusion.

“The CSMIA has planned a runway closure on Tuesday (October 18) from 11.00 hrs to 17.00 hrs for repair and maintenance work on both its runways. RWY 14/32 & 9/27,” the airport said in its passenger advisory on Monday.

The advisory further said, “With more than 800 flights landing and taking off each day, this yearly practice of runway maintenance post monsoons is part of the series of activities undertaken with precision and meticulous efforts ensuring operational continuity and passenger safety, thus bringing to life the vision of imbibing passenger first approach at the core of our operations.”

Earlier, a Bangalore-bound Akasa Air flight returned to Mumbai airport after a burning smell persisted in the cabin. It turned out to be due to a bird strike, a DGCA official said.

The DGCA official said, however, no other abnormality including in engine parameters was observed. "After landing during the inspection, bird remains were found on engine number 1 of the aircraft," he said and added that, "the burning smell was due to bird strike," he stated.