New Delhi, Feb. 22 -- Air India has cancelled all flights to and from New York and Newark scheduled for 23 February as a severe winter storm forecast to impact the US East Coast on 22 and 23 February intensifies, prompting blizzard warnings across major metropolitan areas. The airline said the developing system - expected to bring heavy snowfall, damaging winds and possible flooding - is likely to significantly disrupt flight operations.

The decision comes as forecasters warn that the storm, initially projected to be moderate, could now rank among the most powerful nor'easters to strike the densely populated corridor in several years.

In a public statement, Air India said:

"A severe winter storm with heavy snow is forecast for New York...