Beyond Boundaries: AirMed World Congress 2026 Raises the Bar

Munich. The program of the AirMed World Congress 2026 raises the bar. Never in its 46-year history has the program been broader, more in-depth, and more international, with around 120 speakers from six continents. From September 16 to 18, 2026, approximately 800 participants in Munich can expect over 160 presentations, 85 workshops, and 15 panel discussions – distributed across two venues. The world’s leading congress for air rescue and air ambulance is organized by the non-profit ADAC Luftrettung in collaboration with EHAC (European HEMS and Air Ambulance Committee). The event brings together physicians, paramedics, nurses, pilots, technical personnel, managers, industry partners, and government representatives to exchange knowledge and experience, thereby advancing the future of air rescue.

The program of the congress, under the theme “Beyond Boundaries: Cross-Competence Enhancement of Aeromedical Services,” is divided into three focal areas – flight operations, medicine, and management. In the area of flight operations, AirMed 2026 is the congress that addresses current aviation topics, from all-weather HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Services) and drone integration to safety culture and disaster response, to eVTOLs (Electrical Vertical Take-Off and Landing Aircraft). The flight operations sessions, consisting of presentations and workshops, offer a high-calibre environment with speakers representing companies and organizations such as Airbus, EASA, FAA, REGA, Bell Helicopter, DLR, and AMREF. Among them is Jana Williams, President and CEO of the Association of Air Medical Services in Washington. Under the presentation title “What Level of Safety is Safe?”, the expert examines the central safety dilemma in air rescue: When is a mission justifiable despite the risks to crew and patient, and when is it not?

The medical track is dedicated to the clinical and operational foundations of modern air rescue. The focus is on the principles of medical care during air transport, the selection of appropriate equipment for pre-hospital emergency care, and the recruitment and training of medical professionals. Additionally, it explores how scientific findings make their way from research through guidelines to the operational practice of HEMS and air ambulance, and where gaps arise in the process. Various perspectives on quality of care and the comprehensive integration of air rescue into the world’s diverse healthcare systems round out the medical program area. The scope of pre-hospital medicine is exemplified by Dr. Dinis dos Reis Miranda, an anaesthesiologist-intensivist and ECMO Director at Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam. He presents the results of the Dutch eCPR study, which involves a procedure in which a heart-lung machine is deployed at the scene of an emergency to stabilize patients following cardiac arrest.

The management track is aimed at leaders and decision-makers in air rescue and air ambulance. Topics include the internationally diverse organizational structures in the provision of HEMS and air ambulance services, as well as the principles of so-called High Reliability Organizations – organizations that operate consistently safely and reliably despite high complexity and risk. Additional topics include the ideal design of a HEMS base, considerations regarding mission profiles and crew compositions, and operational continuity management in the context of public service provision. The management program is complemented by a critical examination of financing models and their unique characteristics. The far-reaching nature of these questions is illustrated by David Waters, CEO of Health Standards Aotearoa from New Zealand. In his session, he presents quality control from the perspective of a national regulatory authority, addressing the question of how government agencies can define and enforce quality standards in air rescue.

Between BERGSON Kunstkraftwerk and ADAC Luftrettung Campus
A unique feature of this year’s congress is the opportunity to leverage the advantages of two different venues. The BERGSON Kunstkraftwerk in Munich primarily hosts presentations and discussions. At the second congress venue, the newly opened ADAC Luftrettung Campus in Oberpfaffenhofen near Munich, the focus is on practical application. The infrastructure there, unique in Europe, enables the simulation of emergency missions and the demonstration of other specific training scenarios.
Content depth is ensured by the exceptionally international lineup. The approximately 120 speakers come from Asia, North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Australia.

Beyond the three-day main program, participants can choose from a wide range of bookable workshops on Saturday, September 19, 2026. These include Crew Resource Management for leaders, refresher courses in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support, as well as practice-oriented mission simulations for emergency care in the HEMS environment and during intensive care transports. A special highlight is an excursion to the ADAC Crash Test Center in Landsberg am Lech, offering a firsthand experience of current developments in automotive technology and their implications for technical rescue and emergency care.
Dr. Matthias Ruppert, Member of the Organising Committee and Chief Medical Officer of ADAC HEMS Academy, emphasizes the uniqueness of the congress: “Beyond Boundaries is not a slogan, but a promise reflected in the program. When experts from six continents come together to learn from and engage with one another, that’s exactly what happens – boundaries are transcended professionally, geographically, and culturally.”

The AirMed World Congress 2026 also provides a platform for companies and industry partners. Around 30 exhibitors from the aviation and medical technology sectors have already confirmed their participation. A wide range of products and services will be on display, from rescue winches and medical interior systems for helicopters to operational clothing.

Until the end of March, interested parties can still benefit from discounted early bird tickets and specially negotiated hotel rates. Early hotel reservations are strongly recommended, as rates may increase due to Oktoberfest following the congress. Tickets, further information and the latest newsletters are available at: www.airmed2026.com

Contact: info@airmed2026.com / About ADAC Luftrettung gGmbH & Press Contact