Tampere Aviation Forum will take place on September 10, 2026 at the Tampere Exhibition & Sports Centre. The one-day hybrid seminar is organized in co-operation with Riga Aviation Forum and it features a range of keynotes and panels hosted by aviation and logistics experts.
This year Tampere Aviation Forum will take place on September 10, 2026 at the Tampere Exhibition & Sports Centre. The event is part of Logistics Fair Finland.
The one-day hybrid seminar is organized in co-operation with Riga Aviation Forum and it features a range of keynotes and panels hosted by aviation and logistics experts.
Tampere Aviation Forum is part of Business Tampere’s ongoing effort to champion the development of the Tampere-Pirkkala airport and position it as a center of passenger transport and logistics in the region.
The program is preliminary and continuously updated. Changes are possible.
Tampere Aviation Forum 2026 brings together aviation, logistics and industry perspectives as part of the Logistics Fair in Tampere. The event is connected with Riga Aviation Forum through selected streamed sessions and a joint Baltic–Nordic live online discussion.
Dr Max Hirsh, Managing Director of Airport City Academy, will serve as the host and moderator of the Tampere live program, guiding the discussions and bringing together the key themes of the day.
9:00–12:15 – Streamed program from Riga Aviation Forum
Participants are welcome to follow selected Riga Aviation Forum sessions online or at the event venue in Tampere.
The morning program offers Baltic and European perspectives on aviation policy, regional connectivity, tourism and aviation ecosystems.
The streamed program includes:
9:00–10:00 – Opening Session
Global aviation perspectives from Baltic, European airport and airline viewpoints.
10:00–11:00 – European Aviation Policymaking and the Baltic Perspective
A discussion on the position and potential of the Baltic States in European aviation policy.
11:30–12:15 – Flying Demand or Creating It? Tourism and Aviation in a Chicken-and-Egg Loop
A panel discussion on the relationship between aviation, tourism, destination development and long-term demand.
The Tampere region will also be represented in the discussion.
Light working lunch will be served at the Tampere venue for on-site participants.
12:15–12:30 – Opening of the Tampere live program
A short introduction to the afternoon program and to the role of aviation, logistics and industry in Tampere-Pirkkala’s future development.
12:30–13:00 – Hydrogen and the Future of Aviation
Expert keynote and Q&A
Hydrogen is emerging as one of the potential solutions for reducing aviation emissions, particularly in future aircraft and airport energy systems. This session explores the development of hydrogen aviation, the infrastructure and energy systems it will require, and the path from pilot projects to scalable implementation.
Speaker:
13:15–14:15 – Joint Baltic–Nordic live online session
Development and Strategic Role of the Riga–Tampere Air Bridge
A joint live session connecting Riga Aviation Forum and Tampere Aviation Forum.
Experts from the Baltics and the Nordics will discuss regional connectivity, the role of mid-sized airports and opportunities to strengthen passenger, business, tourism, cargo and logistics links between Riga and Tampere.
The discussion will bring together airline, airport, regional development and business perspectives.
14:20–15:15 – Air Cargo and Industrial Logistics in Tampere
Panel discussion
Tampere-Pirkkala Airport is increasingly being discussed not only as a passenger airport, but also as a platform for time-critical logistics, industrial supply chains, critical cargo operations and dual-use capabilities.
The session explores:
Confirmed participants include representatives from DANX and Joen Service, with additional industry, training and public-sector participants to be announced.
15:15–15:40 – Coffee break
15:45–16:15 – The Future of Aviation, the role of electric aviation as a new transportation modality
Expert insights and Q&A
Electric aviation could introduce a new transportation modality, particularly for regional and short-distance mobility. The session looks at the future of aviation, the development of electric aircraft and how electric aviation could complement existing transport systems, strengthen regional connectivity and create new opportunities for airports and mobility ecosystems.
Speaker:
16:20–16:50 – Regional Airports and the Aviation System Perspective
Keynote
Regional airports play an important role in international connectivity, resilience, business travel, logistics and national accessibility.
The session examines the role of Tampere-Pirkkala Airport within Finland’s airport network and the future needs related to connectivity, infrastructure and operational resilience.
Speaker:
16:50–17:00 – Wrap-up: From Discussion to Action
A short closing discussion bringing together the main messages and next steps from the Tampere live program.
17:00–18:15 – Optional streamed program from Riga Aviation Forum
Participants may continue by following the remaining Riga Aviation Forum program online or at the Tampere venue.
The streamed session focuses on aviation supply chains, manufacturing, innovation, decarbonisation and sustainable aviation fuels, followed by closing remarks from Riga.
