Cyclone Arnab landfall: Civil Aviation Ministry orders airlines to follow safety norms, inform passengers
Synopsis
Cyclone Arnab's landfall has grounded dozens of flights across coastal Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, with Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, and Rajahmundry airports all hit by suspensions. The Civil Aviation Ministry convened an emergency review and ordered airlines to follow weather safety norms, inform passengers, and offer rebooking and refunds — while warning of knock-on delays as far inland as Varanasi and Prayagraj.
Key Takeaways
Cyclone Arnab , classified as a very severe cyclonic storm , made landfall on 28 October 2026 , triggering widespread aviation disruptions.
Operations at Visakhapatnam airport were suspended from the afternoon of 27 October ; Vijayawada and Rajahmundry suspended all flights after 7 pm on 27 October .
Air India Express reported 13 cancellations ; Air India reported 6 cancellations ; IndiGo and Akasa Air also cancelled multiple services.
The Civil Aviation Ministry convened a review meeting and directed inter-agency coordination among AAI , DGCA , IMD , NDRF , and state disaster authorities.
Knock-on delays expected at Hyderabad , Varanasi , Prayagraj , and Gorakhpur depending on the storm's track.
Passengers advised to verify flight status before travelling and use the AirSewa portal for unresolved complaints.
As Cyclone Arnab — classified as a very severe cyclonic storm — made landfall on 28 October 2026, the Civil Aviation Ministry (MoCA) advised all airlines to strictly adhere to operational guidelines for adverse weather conditions, proactively inform passengers about delays or cancellations, and comply with applicable norms on rebooking and refunds. The directive follows a ministry-level review meeting convened to assess aviation safety across affected routes.
Airports Hit and Flight Suspensions
Flights to and from coastal Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha, including Bhubaneswar, are expected to bear the brunt of disruptions. Operations at Visakhapatnam were suspended from the afternoon of 27 October. At Vijayawada and Rajahmundry, all flights were suspended after 7 pm on 27 October. The Delhi–Bhogapuram–Delhi service stands cancelled on 28 October.
The ministry also flagged knock-on delays at Hyderabad, Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Gorakhpur, depending on the storm's track. This pattern of cascading disruptions across interior cities is consistent with how previous severe cyclones — including those that hit the Andhra-Odisha coast — have rippled through the national aviation network.
Airline-Wise Cancellations
Air India reported six cancellations on the Delhi–Visakhapatnam–Delhi route on 27 October and the Delhi–Vijayawada–Delhi route on 28 October. Air India Express reported 13 cancellations, largely covering Visakhapatnam flights to and from Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Vijayawada, as well as the Varanasi–Bangkok and Bangkok–Visakhapatnam services.
All IndiGo flights were suspended at Visakhapatnam, and at Vijayawada and Rajahmundry after 7 pm on 27 October. Akasa Air cancelled its Delhi–Bhogapuram and return flights on 28 October. Alliance Air is currently operating normally, with no cancellations reported so far.
What the Government Said
According to an official ministry statement, MoCA stressed inter-agency coordination between stakeholders including the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), India Meteorological Department (IMD), airline and airport operators, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and disaster management authorities of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal.
Airlines and airport operators were also directed to extend special support to senior citizens, persons with reduced mobility, parents with infants, and passengers with medical requirements.
Passenger Advisory
The ministry urged passengers to check their flight status via the airline's website, app, helpline, or SMS before leaving for the airport. 'Passengers are advised not to travel unless your flight is confirmed,' the official statement noted. Travellers should factor in additional travel time, as waterlogging and road closures are likely across coastal Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
For unresolved complaints, passengers are advised to first approach the airline directly, and thereafter escalate through the AirSewa portal or app. With the storm's full impact still unfolding, further cancellations and schedule revisions across the affected network remain possible.
Point of View
But the real test is airline compliance — past cyclone events have seen carriers drag their feet on refunds and rebooking despite clear DGCA norms. The inclusion of Varanasi–Bangkok and international routes in Air India Express's cancellation list signals that Arnab's disruption radius is wider than a purely coastal story. Notably, the ministry's emphasis on AirSewa as an escalation channel is only as effective as its response time, which has historically been inconsistent during large-scale weather events.
NationPress
28 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which airports are affected by Cyclone Arnab?
Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, and Bhogapuram airports in coastal Andhra Pradesh are the most severely affected, with operations suspended or cancelled. Bhubaneswar in southern Odisha is also expected to see significant disruptions, and knock-on delays are possible at Hyderabad, Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Gorakhpur.
Can passengers get a refund or rebooking for flights cancelled due to Cyclone Arnab?
Yes. The Civil Aviation Ministry has directed all airlines to comply with applicable norms on rebooking and refunds for passengers affected by cancellations or delays caused by Cyclone Arnab. Passengers should first contact their airline, and if unresolved, escalate through the AirSewa portal or app.
Which airlines have cancelled flights due to Cyclone Arnab?
Air India reported six cancellations on Delhi–Visakhapatnam–Delhi and Delhi–Vijayawada–Delhi routes. Air India Express reported 13 cancellations covering Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Vijayawada, and Varanasi–Bangkok services. IndiGo suspended all Visakhapatnam flights, and Akasa Air cancelled its Delhi–Bhogapuram services on 28 October. Alliance Air is currently operating normally.
What should passengers do before travelling to the airport during Cyclone Arnab?
Passengers are advised to check their flight status on their airline's website, app, helpline, or via SMS before leaving home, and not to travel unless their flight is confirmed. Travellers should also account for extra travel time, as waterlogging and road closures are likely across coastal Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
What is the government doing to manage aviation safety during Cyclone Arnab?
The Civil Aviation Ministry convened a review meeting and directed coordinated action among key agencies including AAI, DGCA, BCAS, IMD, NDRF, airline operators, and disaster management authorities of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal. Airlines were also instructed to provide additional support to senior citizens, persons with reduced mobility, parents with infants, and medical passengers.
