Goa’s Dabolim International Airport has stepped up health vigilance following the arrival of Russian charter flights, amid reports of a suspected pneumonic plague-related incident in Russia’s Siberian region.

The winter charter season began with an Aeroflot flight from Yekaterinburg carrying 162 passengers, followed by a direct Moscow service with more than 285 tourists. The arrivals are expected to provide a major boost to Goa’s tourism sector, including hotels, shacks, taxis and other businesses dependent on international visitors.

However, reports from Russia’s Irkutsk region have raised health concerns after a laboratory technician at the Irkutsk Research Anti-Plague Institute died from pneumonia of unknown aetiology. Around 200 contacts have reportedly been placed under medical observation, although Russian authorities have not confirmed any community outbreak.

Airport authorities at Dabolim said they are closely monitoring developments but have not received any specific health advisory from the World Health Organization or the Government of India.

A senior airport official said that under established protocols, any enhanced health measures would be introduced following formal directives from the WHO and subsequent guidelines from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The official said the airport’s existing screening infrastructure remains operational and can be deployed whenever required. Thermal imaging equipment and passenger surveillance facilities at the international arrival area are also available for activation.

“While details regarding this specific pathogen remain unconfirmed by global bodies, our terminal infrastructure is already fully equipped to manage such health scenarios based on our extensive Covid-19 protocols,” the official said.

The airport management added that passengers would continue to be monitored for suspected symptoms and that any fresh directions issued by the Central Government would be implemented immediately.

The developments come as Goa enters the 2026–27 international tourism season, with additional charter and scheduled services expected in the coming months. SCAT Airlines is scheduled to begin Central Asian services from October 23, while Air Astana is expected to connect Mopa with Kazakhstan by late December.