Mantas Vrubliauskas is VP Network Management at airBaltic, with over 14 years of experience in the airline industry and extensive expertise in route development, fleet planning, and network strategy. In his keynote, he will explore why regional airports are vital for flight connections and accessibility, and how airBaltic is strengthening its role in Finland and Northern Europe.
Dr. Max Hirsh (PhD, Harvard) is a leading global expert on airports and urban development, and pioneer of the Airport Urbanism method. Drawing on 15 years of industry experience, he serves as technical advisor on a variety of airport-led development projects and regional masterplans. His keynote focuses on the role of regional airports in economic development, the effect of climate change and emergence of new technologies, and future opportunities for development of the Tampere-Pirkkala airport and the surrounding region.
Riku Huhta, MSc (Tech.), works as Team Lead for Strategic Transport Systems at Destia. Huhta has more than eight years of experience in the transport and logistics sector. His work involves examining Finland’s transport systems and their development, then bringing topical transport issues into the national conversation. Most recently he has been following the transition in air transport, the air freight market, and the development of Finland’s foreign trade and international connections.
Ding Ma serves as Head of Economic Development for the City of Lappeenranta and General Manager of the Saimaa Airport Foundation. His work with the City of Lappeenranta is focused on supporting business growth and elevating the profile of the city with his experience in economic development. As General Manager of the Saimaa Airport Foundation, he focuses on securing Lappeenranta Airport’s operating conditions to enable direct international connections and support regional security.
Timo Rissanen is a tourism and transport expert who, through his company Port Experience, focuses on the development of regional air and cruise traffic. He has over 20 years of experience in aviation, cruise operations, and tourism development projects. In recent years, he has concentrated on improving regional accessibility in areas such as Arctic Lakeland, Lake Saimaa, Pärnu, and most recently Kuusamo. He has also contributed to exploring and developing new cruise opportunities for destinations including Kalajoki, Saimaa, and the Gulf of Finland.
Eveliina Ojala has been in the logistics industry since 2009. She has gained experience in ground handling at Tampere-Pirkkala and Helsinki-Vantaa airports. Ojala joined DANX Oy in 2014, and currently serves as Operations & Linehaul Manager Finland. Her responsibilities include domestic and cross-border linehaul operations as well as air freight logistics. Ojala is a trained avionics technician.
Joonas Nurmi is the co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of the airline Aerocom Aviation and Helsinki Citycopter. Aerocom Aviation provides high-quality private flight services with modern helicopters and jets throughout Europe and the Nordic countries. The company’s goal is to develop even more flexible and versatile private aviation services for corporate and private clients, while also strengthening Finland’s position as a competitive and easily accessible travel destination. In our world, time is a luxury – Aerocom Aviation offers its clients the freedom to use it more meaningfully.
Juuso Rönnholm is the Head of Public Affairs and data analysis at BusinessOulu. Rönnholm’s responsibilities include data-driven management and public affairs within BusinessOulu’s sector (Employment and Economic Services of the City of Oulu). The role includes promoting accessibility in the Oulu region, including air traffic development. Previously Rönnholm has served as Special Adviser to the former president of Finland Sauli Niinistö, as well as to Minister Antti Häkkänen and Minister Paula Risikko across various ministries.
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