Flights Hit as Cyclone Arnab Lands, Govt Issues Guidelines

Cyclone Arnab's landfall has forced flight cancellations and suspensions across the region, and the civil aviation ministry has responded by issuing directions to airlines and airport operators.

According to the ministry, all airlines must comply strictly with the guidelines for operations in bad weather. Passengers should receive timely information about delays or cancellations, and airlines must follow the prescribed rebooking and refund procedures.

The ministry held a high-level review meeting to evaluate the situation and ensure aviation safety. The storm is expected to hit coastal Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha hardest, particularly flights linked to Bhubaneswar. Hyderabad, Varanasi, Prayagraj and Gorakhpur may also feel indirect effects, depending on the storm's direction.

The ministry has also strengthened coordination among the AAI, DGCA, BCAS, IMD, airlines, airport operators, the NDRF, and the disaster management agencies of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal.

Operations at Visakhapatnam airport were suspended from the afternoon of October 27. Flights at Vijayawada and Rajahmundry were stopped after 7 pm that day. The Delhi-Bhogapuram-Delhi service has been cancelled for October 28.

In terms of cancellations, Air India has called off six flights on the Delhi-Visakhapatnam-Delhi sector for October 27 and the Delhi-Vijayawada-Delhi sector for October 28. Air India Express has cancelled 13 flights, mainly those connecting Visakhapatnam with Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Vijayawada, and its Varanasi-Bangkok and Bangkok-Visakhapatnam services were also disrupted. IndiGo has suspended all flights to Visakhapatnam. Akasa Air has cancelled its Delhi-Bhogapuram flights and return journeys for October 28. Alliance Air has not cancelled any flights and is operating as usual.

Passengers are urged to confirm their flight status via the airline's website, app, helpline or SMS before leaving home, and to travel to the airport only once their booking is confirmed. Extra travel time is recommended, as waterlogging and road closures could affect coastal Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

Airlines and airport operators have been asked to provide special assistance to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, families with small children and passengers with medical needs. If a complaint remains unresolved, passengers should first approach the airline and then register it on the AirSewa portal or mobile app.