Tampere Aviation Forum

Preliminary program

10 September 2026 | Tampere Exhibition and Sports Centre and online

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. Read more about the program and speakers at Riga Aviation Forum website.

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 – Discussion: How Regional Development Actually Happens

• Marita Jaatinen, CBDO at Business Tampere

13:15–14:15 – Development and Strategic Role of the Riga–Tampere Air Bridge (Joint Baltic–Nordic live online session)

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.

Participants:

• Marita Jaatinen, CBDO at Business Tampere
• Irīna Podžuka, Cargo Sales and Development Manager at airBaltic
• Taivo Linnamägi, Director of Aviation Department of Ministry of Climate of Estonia
• Laura Štrovalde, Deputy Director at Investment and Development Agency of Latvia

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:

• the potential for air cargo and time-critical logistics in Tampere
• practical requirements for launching and developing cargo operations
• ground handling, training, airport infrastructure and operational capabilities
• the connection between aviation and industrial logistics
• regional resilience and critical supply chains

Confirmed participants include representatives from DANX (Eveliina Ojala, Manager, Operations and Linehaul), Joen Service (Tomi Viitanen, CEO) and DACHSER (Petri Kallio, CEO, DACHSER Finland Air & Sea Logistics). 

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:

• Petteri Lehti, Project Manager, LUT University, the future of aviation and electric aviation as a new mode of transport

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:

• Henri Hansson, Senior Vice President, Regional Airports, Finavia

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.

17:00–18:30 – Optional streamed program from Riga Aviation Forum

Participants may continue by following the remaining Riga Aviation Forum program online.
The streamed session focuses on aviation supply chains, manufacturing, innovation, decarbonisation and sustainable aviation fuels, followed by closing remarks from Riga.

Read more about the program and speakers at Riga Aviation Forum website.

Learn more about the Tampere Aviation Forum speakers