India Reports Flight Suspensions at Three Andhra Airports as Cyclone Arnab Approaches

India's Ministry of Civil Aviation reported on 27 October that flights had been suspended at three airports in Andhra Pradesh as authorities prepared for Cyclone Arnab. In its late-evening operational review, the ministry said Visakhapatnam operations had stopped that afternoon, while flights at Vijayawada and Rajahmundry were suspended after 7 p.m. local time. The ministry said “safety is the first priority.” Its review brought together aviation regulators, airport and airline operators, weather officials and disaster authorities. Citing the India Meteorological Department's forecast, it said Arnab was expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast on 28 October with winds of 125–135 km/h, gusting to 150 km/h. That was the forecast used for the review, rather than confirmation of landfall. Air India reported six cancellations covering Delhi–Visakhapatnam services on 27 October and Delhi–Vijayawada services on 28 October. Air India Express reported 13 cancellations, mainly involving Visakhapatnam. IndiGo suspended Visakhapatnam flights and services at Vijayawada and Rajahmundry after 7 p.m.; its cancellation figures remained provisional. Alliance Air reported normal operations without cancellations at that point. The aviation review followed a National Crisis Management Committee meeting chaired by Cabinet Secretary T. V. Somanathan on 26 October, when state officials outlined shelters, evacuation arrangements and district control rooms. The aviation ministry directed airlines to notify passengers about disruption and follow applicable rebooking and refund rules. It also asked airports and airlines to assist older passengers, people with reduced mobility, parents with infants and medical cases.