The Ministry of Civil Aviation announced a halt to all departures and arrivals at Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, and Rajahmundry airports as the cyclone’s winds breached 125‑135 km/h on the 27th of October.
The India Meteorological Department warned that Arnab would intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm, with gusts up to 150 km/h, just before it sweeps the coast on October 28.
Air India logged six cancellations on the Delhi‑Visakhapatnam‑Delhi route, and a further four on the Delhi‑Vijayawada‑Delhi leg scheduled for the 28th. Air India Express cut thirteen flights, mainly those linking Visakhapatnam with Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Vijayawada, plus the Varanasi‑Bangkok corridor. IndiGo suspended all Visakhapatnam operations, while flights to Vijayawada and Rajahmundry were cut after 7 pm. Akasa Air scrapped its Delhi‑Bhogapuram‑Delhi service for the 28th, but kept others running.
The Civil Aviation Secretary urged airlines to keep passengers informed of delays and to honor rebooking or refund policies. Travelers are told to check real‑time flight status via airline apps, helplines, or SMS before heading to the airport.
Waterlogging and road closures are expected along the coast, complicating airport access for residents and visitors. The Secretary added that airport staff must assist those with mobility issues, infants, or medical needs, and that unresolved complaints can be escalated through the AirSewa portal.
The Ministry will monitor the cyclone and release additional advisories as conditions evolve, while the Airports Authority of India coordinates with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and the National Disaster Response Force for safety measures.