Cyclone Arnab: Flights Suspended at Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Rajahmundry Airports
The India Meteorological Department has forecast winds of 125-135 kmph, with gusts reaching 150 kmph.
Flights to and from coastal Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha, including Bhubaneswar, are expected to be the most affected, while Hyderabad, Varanasi, Prayagraj and Gorakhpur could experience consequential delays depending on the storm’s track.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation held a review meeting to assess the situation and ensure aviation safety, stressing coordination among the Airports Authority of India, Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, IMD, airlines, airport operators, the National Disaster Response Force and disaster management authorities in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal.
Air India reported six cancellations involving Delhi-Visakhapatnam-Delhi services on October 27 and Delhi-Vijayawada-Delhi services on October 28.
Air India Express reported 13 cancellations, mostly involving Visakhapatnam flights connecting Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Vijayawada, besides services linking Varanasi, Bangkok and Visakhapatnam.
IndiGo suspended all flights at Visakhapatnam and halted services at Vijayawada and Rajahmundry after 7 pm on October 27.
The airline’s cancellation figures remain provisional. Akasa Air cancelled its Delhi-Bhogapuram-Delhi service scheduled for October 28, while other flights were expected to operate.
Alliance Air reported normal operations with no cancellations so far.
The Delhi-Bhogapuram-Delhi service has also been listed as cancelled for October 28.
The Ministry advised airlines to follow adverse-weather operating procedures, keep passengers informed of delays and cancellations, and comply with applicable rebooking and refund rules.
Passengers have been advised to check flight status through airline websites, mobile applications, helplines or SMS before leaving for airports and avoid travelling unless their flights are confirmed.
They were also asked to allow additional travel time, as waterlogging and road closures were likely in coastal Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
The Ministry asked airlines and airport operators to extend assistance to senior citizens, persons with reduced mobility, parents travelling with infants and passengers requiring medical support.
Passengers with unresolved complaints may approach the airline first and subsequently use the AirSewa portal or application.
The Ministry said passenger safety remained its top priority and that further updates would be issued as conditions changed.
