Palana (East) Airport

The primary reason for closure was replacement and obsolescence. The old Palana (East) airfield was a basic, likely unpaved or gravel airstrip capable of handling only small, light aircraft such as the Antonov An-2. A new, more capable airport (UHPL) was constructed a few kilometers to the west with a paved runway to accommodate larger, more modern turboprop aircraft like the Antonov An-24/An-26 and Yak-40. This upgrade was necessary to improve the safety, reliability, and capacity of air transport to Palana, which is the administrative center of the Koryak Okrug.

The site of the former Palana (East) Airport is completely abandoned and defunct. Satellite imagery of the coordinates reveals the faint, overgrown outline of a single former runway. There are no visible structures, buildings, or any remaining aviation infrastructure. The land is unused and is slowly being reclaimed by the surrounding tundra and vegetation.

Before the construction of the modern airport, Palana (East) was the primary and essential air link for the remote town of Palana. In a region with limited road connectivity, this airfield was a lifeline. It handled all essential aviation operations, including passenger transport, mail delivery, cargo shipments of food and supplies, and critical medical evacuation (sanaviatsiya) flights. It played a vital role in connecting the community to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and other regional settlements, making it a cornerstone of local life and administration.

There are zero known plans or prospects for reopening this airport. Its role has been entirely and permanently superseded by the modern, operational Palana Airport (UHPL), which adequately serves the needs of the community. The old site is smaller, less ideally located, and lacks any modern infrastructure, making its revival economically and logistically unfeasible.