Air travel across parts of Andhra Pradesh is facing major disruption as Cyclone Arnab approaches the eastern coast, prompting airport authorities and airlines to suspend services and cancel flights. Passengers travelling through the affected region have been advised to confirm their flight status before leaving for the airport.
Flights Suspended at Three Airports
Flight operations at Visakhapatnam Airport were suspended from the afternoon of 27 October, while services at Vijayawada and Rajahmundry airports were halted after 7 pm that evening. The Delhi–Bhogapuram–Delhi service scheduled for 28 October has also been cancelled.
The disruptions come as the storm is forecast to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm, with sustained winds of 125–135 km/h and gusts reaching up to 150 km/h.
Airlines Announce Cancellations and Changes
Several airlines have reported disruptions. Air India cancelled six flights across affected routes, while Air India Express cancelled 13 services, mainly those connecting Visakhapatnam with Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Vijayawada. IndiGo suspended operations at the three affected airports, while Akasa Air cancelled its Delhi–Bhogapuram service and return flight scheduled for 28 October. These figures were provisional.
What Passengers Should Do
Passengers should check their airline’s website or app for the latest flight status before leaving home. They should travel to the airport only after confirming their flight and allow extra time for road journeys, as heavy rain, waterlogging and road closures may affect access to airports.
Airlines have also been advised to inform passengers about changes and follow applicable rebooking and refund rules. Conditions may change as the storm develops.
