Mumbai airport's main runway to remain closed for 12 hours in two days

Mumbai : Gearing up to battle upcoming monsoon season, authorities have decided to shut Mumbai airport's main runway for up to 12 hours in two days for maintenance purpose.

The closure of runway 09/27 will affect services of several air carriers during the closing time frame. Jet Airways is likely to face the maximum effect as Mumbai Airport happens to be the primary base.

"The main runway of the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) handled by GVK MIAL, will be non-operational on April 9 and 10, between 1100 hrs and 1700 hrs on account of pre-monsoon maintenance activities," the Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) said in a statement, issued about an hour before the commencement of the runway closure.

Passengers are advised to pre confirm flight operations with their respective carriers.

The Mumbai airport, the second busiest in the country, has two crossing runways -- 09/27 (the main) and 14/32 (the secondary runway).

While the primary runway can handle up to 48 arrivals and departures per hour, the secondary runway has a capacity of 35 movements per hour.