Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and Rajahmundry face flight suspensions, while airlines announce cancellations as authorities prepare for severe weather and passenger disruptions.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has reviewed aviation preparedness and operational safety in view of Cyclone Arnab, which the India Meteorological Department (IMD) expected to intensify into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm before crossing the Andhra Pradesh coast on 28 October 2026.

According to the ministry’s review issued on 27 October, the storm was forecast to bring winds of 125–135 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 150 kmph. Flights serving coastal Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha, including Bhubaneswar, were expected to face the greatest impact, with possible knock-on delays at Hyderabad, Varanasi, Prayagraj and Gorakhpur.

The ministry emphasised coordination among the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), IMD, airlines, airport operators, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and state disaster management authorities to safeguard passengers and maintain operational readiness.

Key Highlights

• Visakhapatnam Airport: Flight operations suspended from the afternoon of 27 October.
• Vijayawada and Rajahmundry airports: All flights suspended after 7 pm on 27 October.
• Air India: Six cancellations across Delhi–Visakhapatnam–Delhi services on 27 October and Delhi–Vijayawada–Delhi services on 28 October.
• Air India Express: 13 cancellations, primarily involving Visakhapatnam connections with Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Vijayawada, along with Varanasi–Bangkok and Bangkok–Visakhapatnam services.
• IndiGo: Flights suspended at Visakhapatnam and, after 7 pm on 27 October, at Vijayawada and Rajahmundry. Cancellation figures were provisional.
• Akasa Air: Delhi–Bhogapuram–Delhi services cancelled for 28 October; other flights were expected to operate.
• Alliance Air: Operations reported as normal, with no cancellations at the time of the update.
• Passenger advisory: Travellers were urged to verify flight status before leaving for the airport and avoid travelling unless their flight was confirmed.

Airlines Asked to Prioritise Safety and Passenger Assistance

The Ministry of Civil Aviation advised airlines to follow operational guidelines for adverse weather conditions and inform passengers promptly about delays and cancellations. Airlines must also comply with applicable rebooking and refund requirements.

Airport operators and airlines were directed to extend assistance to senior citizens, persons with reduced mobility, parents travelling with infants and passengers requiring medical support.

Travellers were also cautioned about possible waterlogging and road closures in coastal Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, which could affect airport access even where flights remained operational.

Passengers with unresolved complaints were advised to approach the airline first and then escalate the matter through the AirSewa portal or app.

The ministry reiterated that passenger safety remains the priority and that further updates would be issued as weather conditions evolved.

Impact on Hospitality, Travel and Tourism

1. Hotel bookings and guest arrivals face uncertainty

Flight cancellations and suspensions can disrupt hotel check-ins, airport transfers and pre-booked accommodation, particularly in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and surrounding coastal destinations. Hotels may need to coordinate revised arrival times, extensions and cancellations with affected guests.

2. Corporate travel and MICE events may be affected

Business meetings, conferences, exhibitions and corporate events in Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring regions could experience delayed arrivals and reduced attendance. Event planners and hotels may need contingency arrangements for speakers, delegates and service providers.

3. Tour operators must revise itineraries

Travel agencies and destination management companies serving coastal Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha may need to reschedule sightseeing, road transfers and connecting journeys. Travellers with onward flights through Hyderabad or other affected airports should also check their connections.

4. Food, beverage and hotel operations require flexibility

Hotels accommodating stranded passengers may need to adjust front-office staffing, food service hours, room availability and transport arrangements. Flexible meal services and clear communication can help maintain guest satisfaction during unexpected extensions of stay.

5. Travel operators should strengthen disruption communication

The situation highlights the importance of real-time coordination between airlines, hotels, transport providers and tour operators. Prompt updates on cancellations, revised arrival times, rebooking and refunds can reduce confusion and help travellers make alternative arrangements.

Industry Takeaway

Cyclone Arnab highlights the vulnerability of aviation-linked hospitality and tourism businesses to extreme weather events. For hotels, travel agencies and event organisers, the immediate priorities are to maintain communication with affected guests, review cancellation and rescheduling policies, and prepare flexible staffing and accommodation arrangements.

Passenger safety must remain paramount, while coordinated contingency planning across aviation and hospitality can help limit the wider disruption to travel, business activity and tourism.