New Delhi, October 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Civil Aviation Ministry has advised airlines to follow operational guidelines for adverse weather and keep passengers informed about flight delays and cancellations as very severe Cyclone Arnab affects aviation operations along parts of India’s eastern coast.
The ministry held a review meeting to assess the situation and coordinate measures to ensure aviation safety. Flights to and from coastal Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha, including Bhubaneswar, are expected to face the greatest disruption.
According to an official statement, Hyderabad, Varanasi, Prayagraj and Gorakhpur could also experience knock-on delays depending on the cyclone’s track.
The ministry emphasised coordination among the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), India Meteorological Department (IMD), airlines, airport operators and disaster management agencies in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal.
Flight operations at Visakhapatnam were suspended from the afternoon of October 27, while services at Vijayawada and Rajahmundry were suspended after 7 p.m. that day. The Delhi–Bhogapuram–Delhi service was cancelled for October 28.
Air India reported six cancellations involving Delhi–Visakhapatnam–Delhi services on October 27 and Delhi–Vijayawada–Delhi flights on October 28. Air India Express reported 13 cancellations, mainly affecting Visakhapatnam connections with Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Vijayawada, along with Varanasi–Bangkok and Bangkok–Visakhapatnam services.
IndiGo suspended all flights at Visakhapatnam and halted operations at Vijayawada and Rajahmundry after 7 p.m. on October 27. Akasa Air cancelled Delhi–Bhogapuram and return services on October 28. Alliance Air reported normal operations with no cancellations at the time of the statement.
The ministry urged passengers to verify their flight status through airline websites, apps, helplines or SMS alerts before leaving for the airport. Airlines were also directed to follow applicable rebooking and refund rules and provide assistance to senior citizens, passengers with reduced mobility, families travelling with infants and those requiring medical support.
Passengers with unresolved complaints should first approach their airline and may then use the AirSewa portal or app.
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