An Aeroflot Airbus A320 flying from Moscow to Tashkent was forced to perform a go-around due to an earthquake felt in the Uzbek capital, according to the Telegram channel Tashkent Sky News.
The incident occurred during the final approach of flight SU1870 at Islam Karimov International Airport. At the instruction of air traffic control, the crew aborted the first landing attempt and circled before safely touching down at 01:50 (GMT+5).
Seismologists reported that the quake originated in Kyrgyzstan’s Jalal-Abad region, registering a magnitude of 5.7 at a depth of 10 km. The epicentre experienced shocks of up to seven points, while tremors were felt in parts of Uzbekistan, including 3–4 points in Namangan, 3 in Andijan, 2–3 in Fergana and Tashkent, and 2 in Syrdarya.
Uzbekistan Airports confirmed the decision was a standard safety procedure.
«After an earthquake, staff promptly check runways, taxiways and equipment for any damage. Until inspections are complete, temporary restrictions are imposed on aircraft arrivals and departures,» the company stated.
A go-around is a routine safety measure triggered when landing conditions are unstable or potentially unsafe. In the case of earthquakes, risks can include cracks on the runway, debris, damaged navigation systems or disrupted communication. Such measures are in line with international standards set by ICAO and incorporated into aviation safety manuals and air traffic control protocols.
Although there is no specific rule mandating a go-around after an earthquake, international guidelines require pilots to abort landings whenever conditions threaten safety.
Kursiv also reports that Uzbekistan has delivered 265 tonnes of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan following a recent earthquake that struck several provinces.
