The cyclone has prompted aviation authorities to review safety measures and prepare for further disruption. The Ministry of Civil Aviation convened a meeting to assess the situation as the storm was forecast to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm while crossing the Andhra Pradesh coast.
Flights to and from coastal Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha, including Bhubaneswar, were expected to face the greatest disruption. Hyderabad, Varanasi, Prayagraj and Gorakhpur could also experience knock-on delays, depending on the storm’s movement.
Flight operations at Visakhapatnam Airport had been suspended since the afternoon of October 27, while services at Vijayawada and Rajahmundry were suspended after 7 pm that day. The Delhi–Bhogapuram–Delhi service was also cancelled for October 28.
Airlines have announced cancellations and warned of possible changes to their schedules.
– Air India: The airline announced six cancellations on the Delhi–Visakhapatnam route scheduled for October 27, along with cancellations affecting the Delhi–Vijayawada–Delhi sector on October 28. It warned that further disruption could affect flights to and from Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam.
– Air India Express: The airline reported 13 cancellations, mainly affecting Visakhapatnam services and connections with Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Vijayawada. Its Varanasi–Bangkok and Bangkok–Visakhapatnam services were also cancelled.
– IndiGo: The airline suspended operations at Visakhapatnam and halted services at Vijayawada and Rajahmundry after 7 pm on October 27. Its final cancellation figures remained provisional.
– Akasa Air: The airline cancelled its Delhi–Bhogapuram and return flights scheduled for October 28, while indicating that its other services were expected to operate normally.
– Alliance Air: The airline reported no cancellations and continued to operate its network as usual.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has asked airlines and airport operators to coordinate with the Airports Authority of India, Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, IMD and disaster management agencies to maintain operational safety and keep passengers informed.
Passengers have been advised to check their flight status through the airline’s official website, mobile application, helpline or SMS service before leaving for the airport. Travellers should avoid heading to the airport until their flight status is confirmed and allow additional time for their journeys.
The ministry has also asked airlines to follow applicable rebooking and refund rules, provide timely updates about cancellations and delays, and assist senior citizens, passengers with reduced mobility, families travelling with infants and those requiring medical attention.
Passengers whose complaints remain unresolved after approaching their airline can escalate them through the AirSewa portal or application.
As Cyclone Arnab continues to affect the eastern coast, residents and travellers should rely on official weather bulletins and airline updates for the latest information.