Air India issues advisory as Cyclone Arnab nears Andhra coast

Air India has issued a travel advisory warning of potential disruptions to flights serving Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada as Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab approaches the Andhra Pradesh coast, prompting aviation and weather agencies to caution passengers booked to travel over the coming days.

Cyclone Arnab tracks toward north Andhra Pradesh coast

Publicly available bulletins from the India Meteorological Department describe Cyclone Arnab as a very severe cyclonic storm over the west central Bay of Bengal on October 26 and 27, located several hundred kilometres southeast of Visakhapatnam and east of the wider north Andhra Pradesh coastline. Forecast guidance indicates that the system is likely to maintain or further strengthen over warm waters before curving toward land.

According to the latest trajectory forecasts referenced in national media coverage, Arnab is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam during the forenoon of October 28, with maximum sustained surface wind speeds in the range of about 115 to 125 kilometres per hour and higher gusts. The projected landfall zone includes key coastal districts that feed both Visakhapatnam’s Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport and Vijayawada International Airport, raising the risk of short-notice transport disruption.

IMD coastal and sea-area warnings describe rough to very rough sea conditions over the west central Bay of Bengal and advise suspension of fishing activity close to the projected path. For air travellers, that translates into the possibility that airlines may need to adjust schedules into and out of vulnerable airports as wind speeds increase and bands of intense rain move inland.

State and district-level weather watch portals in Andhra Pradesh are also flagging Arnab as an active cyclone of concern for the Godavari, Krishna and adjoining coastal districts. These areas lie along common approach and departure paths for flights linking Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada with other Indian metros and regional hubs.

Air India advisory highlights risk of delays and cancellations

In response to the evolving forecast, Air India has circulated a travel advisory for customers booked on services touching Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada around the expected landfall window. Publicly available information indicates that the airline is alerting passengers to the potential for delays, diversions and cancellations if wind or visibility at either airport falls outside operating limits while Arnab is closest to the coast.

The advisory points travellers to real-time flight status tools and encourages them to monitor their booking through the official website or mobile app before setting out for the airport. Air India is also signalling that any schedule adjustments will be communicated using the contact details provided in passenger records, which makes it important for ticket-holders to verify that their email address and mobile number are correct.

Reports from Indian business and travel media note that other carriers serving the Andhra coast have begun trimming frequencies or consolidating services into less exposed time windows as a precaution, particularly overnight and early-morning operations on October 27 and 28. Combined with Air India’s changes, this creates a higher-than-usual probability that travellers may need to accept reaccommodation on alternative flights or routings.

Although airport infrastructure at both Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada is designed to withstand intense rain and strong winds, commercial flight schedules remain subject to individual airline safety assessments. Air India’s advisory frames its message around safety and regulatory requirements, emphasising that any decision to suspend operations will follow established procedures when weather conditions exceed allowable thresholds.

Impact on Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada air connectivity

Visakhapatnam’s new Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, which took over commercial services from the former civil enclave in August 2026, functions as a key gateway for north coastal Andhra Pradesh. Published schedules show Air India and its low-cost affiliate Air India Express linking the city with major domestic centres such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, along with select international routes. Any extended weather closure at Visakhapatnam would therefore have a regional ripple effect.

Vijayawada International Airport near Gannavaram serves the central coastal region and is connected to Visakhapatnam and other large Indian cities by a mix of full-service and low-cost carriers. Air India Express operates flights on some of these sectors, providing onward connectivity for passengers travelling between interior Andhra Pradesh and national hubs. Disruptions along the Bay of Bengal corridor can quickly constrain capacity on these busy short-haul links.

Media coverage of previous cyclonic storms affecting Andhra Pradesh has documented patterns of widespread cancellations when strong crosswinds, heavy rain and low cloud combine around key airports. In those instances, aircraft have at times been diverted inland to cities such as Hyderabad or Bengaluru, with passengers then transferred to their final destinations once conditions improved. The Air India advisory suggests that similar measures could be considered if Arnab’s strongest bands pass close to the flight paths into Visakhapatnam or Vijayawada.

Travellers connecting through these airports on international itineraries may face particular challenges if domestic feeder flights are disrupted. Industry reports note that when weather-related irregularities occur, airlines typically prioritise safety and regulatory compliance before addressing rebooking and onward connections, which can lead to longer ground times for some passengers.

What passengers should expect and how to prepare

For those scheduled to fly to or from Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada between October 27 and 29, Air India’s advisory effectively signals the need for flexibility. Passengers are being encouraged to check their flight status repeatedly in the 24 hours before departure and to allow extra time for surface travel to the airport, as heavy rain and waterlogging in urban areas can slow road traffic.

Public information issued in connection with Arnab also stresses that travellers should follow only official weather bulletins and airline communications when assessing the situation. Third-party social media updates and informal message groups can be useful for anecdotal reports but are not considered authoritative sources for operational decisions about whether a flight is running.

Where airlines, including Air India, implement special waivers for date or route changes during severe weather events, the terms are usually published through customer service channels. As of the latest reports, there is no uniformly reported waiver specific to Arnab across all carriers, and travellers are being advised to consult their individual airline’s policy pages or customer support for clarification on options such as free rebooking or refunds if their flight is cancelled.

Travel insurance policies that include cover for weather-related disruption may provide an additional layer of financial protection for hotel nights, missed connections or rebooking fees. However, travellers are generally expected to document any airline notifications and retain receipts for extra expenses in order to support a claim.

Broader transport and tourism implications along the Andhra coast

Beyond aviation, published coverage on Cyclone Arnab points to anticipated disruptions across rail and road networks serving coastal Andhra Pradesh, including sectors that connect Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada with smaller tourist destinations and business centres. Railway authorities have already signalled the possibility of cancellations or short-terminations of services running through districts that are forecast to receive very heavy rain.

For the tourism sector, the timing of Arnab overlaps with a period when domestic travellers often head to beaches and hill destinations in and around Andhra Pradesh. Operators in Visakhapatnam, Araku Valley and the broader Godavari and Krishna delta regions are watching the cyclone’s track closely, as several days of rough sea conditions and persistent rain could affect both coastal excursions and inland sightseeing plans.

Hotel and tour providers reachable through public listings are advising guests to remain in close contact regarding check-in times, airport transfers and any planned excursions during the peak impact window. Some properties in exposed coastal pockets are preparing contingency plans for extended stays if outbound transport is significantly curtailed.

While the precise local impact will depend on Arnab’s final track and intensity as it approaches land, the combination of strong winds, high seas and heavy rainfall already has airlines, rail operators and tourism businesses across the Andhra coast adjusting operations. Air India’s advisory to passengers bound for Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada reflects a wider regional effort to reduce risk and maintain safety as the storm advances.