Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
In Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev held meetings on the following: mitigation of the consequences of the seismic event in Kamchatka Krai; and the development of air traffic and air travel in the region.
"Let's discuss the consequences of the earthquakes that occurred in mid-2025. The issue is the seismic strength and stability of buildings. We need to understand how many of them in the region require reinforcement and restoration. The actions of all federal and regional executive authorities must be focused on the primary goal: ensuring public safety. And right now, we can't fully talk about safety," Yuri Trutnev said, opening the meeting on seismic disaster response.
On July 30, an earthquake struck the Pacific Ocean, triggering a second quake in the Avacha metropolitan area. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of emergency services, no casualties were reported, but significant damage was caused to housing and critical social infrastructure.
The meeting discussed the relocation of residents of buildings damaged by the seismic event. An instrumental survey of the 55 most damaged apartment buildings was organized. Based on the survey results, 12 apartment buildings were deemed unsafe and are subject to relocation.
The rapid restoration of social infrastructure facilities damaged by the seismic event was discussed. Thirty-four social facilities were damaged, including nine cultural facilities, 12 healthcare facilities, six sports facilities, and seven educational facilities.
"We must also ensure the safety of our social institutions, kindergartens, schools, and hospitals. Major renovations will be carried out with ease of use in mind, so as not to disrupt the clinic's operations, but in full compliance with safety requirements," said Kamchatka Krai Governor Vladimir Solodov.
"I ask that you pay serious attention to this work. This is the direct responsibility of those involved in the process to the people. The President has issued relevant instructions. They must be carried out. People must be safe," Yuri Trutnev concluded the meeting.
That same day, the Deputy Prime Minister held a meeting on the development of air travel and air service. "The availability and affordability of flights directly influences people's moods and their desire to live and work in the Far East. A program of discounted fares for residents of the Far Eastern Federal District is in place. We are working to expand it," Yuri Trutnev opened the meeting.
The implementation of a subsidized airfare program on the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky–Vladivostok route was discussed. Since 2021, the Far East has been offering discounted fares for all residents of the Far Eastern Federal District, regardless of age (29 routes), subsidized fares for flights to and from the Far East for eligible citizens (72 routes), and subsidized socially significant transportation (39 routes), making flights between regions more convenient and shorter.
Subsidized fares for citizens registered in the Far Eastern Federal District apply to routes from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to Moscow and St. Petersburg and back (PJSC Aeroflot, JSC Siberia Airlines). In 2025, 34,366 passengers were carried, with 350.5 million rubles allocated for this purpose. Starting in September 2025, two new routes were added to the list of subsidized routes: Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to Vladivostok and Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to Khabarovsk and back. A one-way ticket from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to Moscow and St. Petersburg costs 10,200 rubles, to Vladivostok 9,000 rubles, and to Khabarovsk 7,500 rubles.
In the second half of 2025, residents were given the opportunity to purchase subsidized airline tickets at federal expense. Approximately 150 million rubles were allocated for this purpose for the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky-Vladivostok route starting in September, and for the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky-Khabarovsk route in December. The funds were sent to Aeroflot (for 8,000 tickets) and Siberia Airlines (for 4,000 tickets). Tickets for these routes were in high demand and sold out within a few weeks. Meanwhile, Aeroflot sold only 1,000 tickets out of 9,000 for the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky-Vladivostok route in September and October.
In total, the airlines carried 4,400 passengers at discounted rates from August to December 2025.
"We will now investigate how this could have happened. We will do so with the help of the Treasury and law enforcement agencies, because, in my opinion, poor performance must be held accountable. Naturally, we agreed that all mistakes will be taken into account in the future," emphasized Yuri Trutnev.
Other air travel accessibility programs are also available for Kamchatka Krai. These programs provide air travel to eligible categories of citizens (young people, pensioners, disabled people, and large families). Air travel to and from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is available on four routes (out of 72 Far Eastern routes). Preferential fares are available for routes from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to Novosibirsk, Khabarovsk, Vladivostok, and Moscow. In 2025, two airlines (PJSC Aeroflot and JSC Siberia Airlines) operated flights on these routes, carrying 164,674 passengers.
Under this program, one-way tickets from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to Moscow can be purchased for 7,500 rubles, to Novosibirsk for 6,200 rubles, to Vladivostok for 6,000 rubles, and to Khabarovsk for 2,500 rubles. Russian citizens under 23 years of age, women over 55 and men over 60, persons with Group I disabilities of any age and their accompanying persons, persons accompanying a disabled child, and persons with Group II or III disabilities from childhood, persons with a large family certificate, and cadets over 23 years of age at higher education institutions affiliated with the Russian Ministry of Defense are eligible to fly at this special rate. A quota of up to four one-way tickets (or two round-trip tickets, or two one-way tickets and one round-trip ticket) is permitted at this special rate.
Aurora Airlines operates air travel on 39 socially significant routes (part of the Unified Far Eastern Airlines program). These routes are subject to maximum fares, which also apply to four return routes from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Anadyr, Magadan, and Severo-Kurilsk. One-way tickets from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to these cities range from 5,677 rubles (Magadan) to 9,900 rubles (Anadyr).
In addition, Aeroflot Group is implementing a flat-fare social program without budgetary support, aimed at making air travel affordable, including in the Far Eastern Federal District. These flat-fare programs apply, among other things, to the Moscow-Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky route, with a one-way ticket available for 16,000 rubles.
The meeting agenda included issues related to maintaining the airworthiness of local aviation aircraft. In Kamchatka Krai, Kamchatka Aviation Enterprise (KAP), a company with a fleet of 24 aircraft, including 12 fixed-wing aircraft and 12 helicopters, ensures transport accessibility to remote communities. In 2026–2027, KAP plans to lease a new Mi-8MTV-1 helicopter to replace the Mi-8T RA-22651, which is being decommissioned in 2027. Future plans include replacing the retiring Yak-40 and An-26–100 aircraft with TVRS-44 Ladoga helicopters, and replacing the retiring An-28 and L-410UVP-E20 aircraft with LMS-192 Osvey aircraft. The aircraft are expected to be received through JSC Aurora Airlines or directly.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.