Flight operations at Vijayawada Airport have faced significant disruptions as Cyclone Arnab tracks toward the Andhra Pradesh coast. In anticipation of the severe weather, all scheduled IndiGo flights operating from the airport have been cancelled for Wednesday, October 28. The cancellations are part of a broader suspension of air travel in the region as authorities prepare for the arrival of the cyclonic storm.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings regarding the storm's path and intensity. According to the forecast, Cyclone Arnab is expected to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm before making landfall. The system is projected to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts in the area between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the forenoon of October 28. Meteorological data suggests the storm will bring sustained winds of 115 to 125 kmph, with potential gusts reaching 140 kmph, accompanied by extremely heavy rainfall across coastal districts.
The aviation impact extends beyond IndiGo’s full-day suspension. Fly91 has cancelled its two Hyderabad-Vijayawada-Hyderabad services, specifically flights IC 3301/IC 3302, which were scheduled for 8:30 am, and IC 3305/IC 3306, set for 6:05 pm. Furthermore, Air India has cancelled flight AI 1724/1851, which operates on the Delhi-Vijayawada-Delhi route.
This disruption follows earlier cancellations that occurred on Tuesday, October 27. On that day, two IndiGo services connecting Vijayawada with Chennai and Bengaluru were grounded. These included flight 6E 7305/7302, which was expected to arrive from Chennai at 8:20 pm, and flight 6E 7247/7246, which was scheduled to connect with Bengaluru with an arrival time of 8:35 pm. These initial cancellations served as an early indicator of the travel volatility expected as the cyclone neared the state.
Other specific flight routes have also been impacted by the worsening weather conditions. These include IndiGo flight 6E 7711/7712 operating to and from Kadapa, and IndiGo flight 6E 2780/2581 servicing the Hyderabad route. Additionally, Air India Express flight IX 2413/2414, which connects Visakhapatnam to Vijayawada, has been cancelled. Airline operators have stressed that these cancellations are direct consequences of the safety risks posed by the high winds and heavy rain associated with the approaching weather system.
Airport authorities and airline representatives have strongly urged all passengers to verify the status of their flights before travelling to the airport. Given the dynamic nature of the cyclone, additional disruptions or schedule changes may occur as the storm approaches the coast. Keeping track of airline notifications through official channels is advised to manage potential delays or further cancellations.
The region remains on high alert as the storm is expected to bring widespread instability to coastal infrastructure and transportation networks. The combination of intense wind speeds and predicted heavy precipitation remains a primary concern for local administration. As travel plans across the region face uncertainty, authorities continue to monitor the storm's trajectory to ensure the safety of passengers and airport staff during this period of extreme weather.
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