As Cyclone Arnab makes landfall on India's eastern coast, widespread travel disruption is unfolding. Heavy rains and strong winds have forced airlines to cancel and divert numerous flights, leaving many passengers stranded.
Cyclone Arnab: The Current Situation
Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab
began making landfall on the coast of Andhra Pradesh on the morning of October 28, 2026. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the storm crossed the coast near Yanam with sustained wind speeds of 125-135 kmph and gusts reaching up to 150 kmph. The storm has since weakened after moving over land but continues to cause extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds across coastal Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring regions. Authorities had issued widespread alerts and evacuated over 180,000 people in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha as a precautionary measure. The primary airports affected include Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, and Rajahmundry, where operations were suspended or significantly curtailed. Several train services have also been cancelled.
How to Check Your Flight Status
In this fast-changing situation, checking your flight's status before heading to the airport is critical. Airlines have advised passengers to verify their travel plans. There are several reliable ways to do this:
- Airline Websites and Apps: The most direct way is to use the official website or mobile app of the airline you are booked with. All major carriers like Air India, IndiGo, and Vistara have dedicated 'Flight Status' sections where you can get real-time information by entering your PNR number or flight number.
- Airport Websites: The official websites for the departure and arrival airports often have live dashboards showing all flight movements. With flight operations at the new Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram (serving Visakhapatnam) affected, checking the airport's official channels is recommended.
- Third-Party Flight Trackers: Several reliable flight tracking websites and apps can provide live updates, sometimes even showing the aircraft's location on a map.
- SMS and Email Alerts: Ensure the mobile number and email address you provided during booking are correct. Airlines are required to send notifications about cancellations and schedule changes to passengers.
Navigating Cancellations and Delays
Major airlines including IndiGo, Air India, and Air India Express have cancelled dozens of flights to and from key airports like Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada. If your flight is cancelled, it's important to know your rights. According to Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) regulations, when a flight is cancelled due to a 'force majeure' event like a cyclone, airlines are not required to pay financial compensation. However, they still have a duty of care. Passengers are entitled to choose between a full refund of their ticket fare or being re-booked on an alternative flight to their destination at no extra cost. The choice lies with the passenger, not the airline.
Your Rights at the Airport
If you are already at the airport when your flight is cancelled or significantly delayed, the airline's obligations continue. DGCA rules mandate that airlines must provide passengers with meals and refreshments during extended waiting periods. Should the delay stretch overnight, the airline is also responsible for providing hotel accommodation and transfers between the airport and the hotel. It is advisable to get written confirmation from airline staff that the disruption was due to weather and to keep all receipts for any expenses you incur for food or lodging in case you need to file a claim later.
Airlines Respond to Cyclone Arnab
In response to the cyclone, Air India issued a travel advisory, warning that flights to Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada would be impacted and urged passengers to check their flight status before travelling. IndiGo cancelled all its flights at Vijayawada for October 28 and suspended all services at Visakhapatnam from the previous evening. Air India Express also cancelled at least 13 flights, primarily those connecting Visakhapatnam with Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Vijayawada. The Ministry of Civil Aviation held a review meeting to ensure safety protocols were being followed and advised airlines to keep passengers informed and comply with all refund and rebooking norms.
