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Mumbai Airport Cargo Halted by Loader Protest; Runway Maintenance Scheduled
Mumbai Airport Cargo Halted by Loader Protest; Runway Maintenance Scheduled
Cargo operations at Mumbai’s Air Cargo Complex have halted following an agitation by loaders, prompting the ACC Import Committee to advise importers and exporters to adjust their clearance plans. While the protest disrupts logistics, the airport operator has also announced a temporary six-hour runway shutdown on November 19 for scheduled postmonsoon maintenance.
Cargo operations at Mumbai’s Air Cargo Complex have come to a complete standstill following an agitation by loaders, the ACC Import Committee announced on Thursday. The committee informed its members that the protest had disrupted all cargo activities and advised them to plan their import and export clearance operations accordingly until normal services resume.
In a communication dated November 5, the ACC Import Committee asked members to take note of the situation and make necessary arrangements for their consignments in view of the disruption. The notice, signed by committee chairman Kaushal Thakker and Mukesh Makhija, did not specify the reason behind the loaders' agitation or indicate when cargo operations are expected to resume.
The disruption is likely to affect cargo clearance activities at the complex until normal operations are restored. Mumbai International Airport Limited, which operates the airport, noted that the facility serves as a significant export-import and logistics hub, with its air cargo terminal handling more than 0.85 million metric tonnes of cargo annually.
Meanwhile, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport will temporarily shut both its runways for six hours on November 19 as part of its annual postmonsoon maintenance programme. Runways 0927 and 1432 will remain nonoperational from 11 am to 5 pm IST.
The scheduled closure is part of the airport's annual maintenance programme to ensure runway safety, reliability, and compliance with global aviation standards. The work will include detailed inspections, surface repairs, and technical assessments of runway lighting, markings, and drainage systems.
The airport operator said a Notice to Airmen had been issued in advance, allowing airlines and other stakeholders to adjust flight schedules and plan manpower requirements. Coordination with airlines and relevant stakeholders began six months before the scheduled maintenance. The advance planning is aimed at synchronising operational requirements and minimising inconvenience to passengers.
CSMIA stated that the maintenance reflects its focus on maintaining safe, secure, and efficient airside operations as part of its year-round operational readiness programme.
L.Mitchell--SMC
