Russia tightens airport medical rules to speed up emergency care by 2026

Russia’s Ministry of Health has introduced new regulations for medical services at busy airports. The rules apply to facilities handling over 39,000 passengers each month. They aim to ensure faster and more reliable emergency care for travellers and staff alike. The updated requirements will come into force on September 1, 2026. Airports must provide round-the-clock emergency and primary medical care across all terminals. Each operator will decide how many first-aid stations are needed based on passenger numbers.

The regulations set strict response times for medical teams. Paramedics must deliver urgent primary care within 30 minutes of a patient arriving at a station. If an emergency call is made, a specialised rapid-response team must reach the airport within 20 minutes. Airports where emergency services cannot arrive within 20 minutes will need an on-site response team. However, not every airport must set up new paramedic points if an existing primary care unit is already in place. The stations themselves must include several key areas. These cover a waiting space, procedure room, supervisor’s office, staff workstations, a rest area, dining facilities, and separate restrooms for patients and medical personnel.

The new rules standardise medical support at Russia’s busiest airports. Operators now face clear deadlines for emergency response and facility requirements. The changes are designed to improve care for millions of passengers and airport workers each year.