On July 30, 2025, at 11:24 AM local time (7:24 PM EDT July 29 / 4:24 PM PDT July 29), a magnitude 8.7 earthquake struck the Kamchatka Peninsula — the strongest seismic event recorded in the Kamchatka seismic zone since 1952. The epicenter was located in Pacific Ocean waters 149 kilometers from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at a depth of 17 kilometers, according to the Kamchatka Branch of the Unified Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Following the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky International Airport (Yelizovo) continues normal operations with no infrastructure damage reported. Airport management conducted a brief precautionary evacuation of the departure lounge to ensure passenger safety.
Airport representatives confirmed that the seismic activity caused damage to interior finishing materials throughout the terminal building, including decorative ceiling panels that detached and fell. One person sustained minor injuries and received immediate medical attention. However, these incidents did not affect airport operations.
Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov identified deficiencies in the securing of finishing materials in the airport’s new terminal. He has ordered a comprehensive structural assessment to evaluate material conditions and develop a remediation plan. Given Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky’s location in a seismically active zone, reinforcing panels and other decorative elements will enhance passenger safety in the terminal building. Additional staff training programs and emergency drills for natural disasters are also planned.
Despite the powerful earthquake, continuing aftershocks, and tsunami warnings, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky International Airport maintains normal operations. Aurora Airlines canceled its flight to Severo-Kurilsk, citing operational assessment of air routes and weather conditions following the seismic event. Aeroflot continues scheduled service between Yelizovo and Moscow without disruption.
S7 Airlines representatives stated they are closely monitoring the regional situation. Currently, no schedule changes have been implemented. Flights from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to Novosibirsk, Irkutsk, and Vladivostok operate as scheduled.
U.S. carriers Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines suspended flights to Hawaii on July 30, 2025, due to tsunami threats generated by the powerful Kamchatka earthquake. Hawaiian Airlines representatives reported that flight crews were instructed to delay departures or return to the U.S. mainland. Several flights were diverted to alternative airports to avoid potential hazards in the Hawaiian Islands region. The airlines continue monitoring developments closely and will resume Hawaii service once tsunami threats subside.
Earlier, Oahu Island authorities, where state capital Honolulu is located, urged residents to evacuate coastal areas due to credible tsunami threats. The U.S. Coast Guard also directed all vessels in Hawaiian ports to depart immediately to minimize risks from potential wave activity.
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