From December 4 to 6, 2024, Vienna Airport became the center of the international aviation industry. Over 180 high-profile representatives from politics, business and aviation gathered at the "Vienna CESEE Airport Forum" to discuss the future of the Central and Southeastern Europe aviation region. The focus was on topics such as growth strategies, the development of the airline market, cybersecurity and the design of modern airport cities. The event not only offered a platform for the exchange of ideas, but also the opportunity to provide decisive impetus for the further development of the industry.
The three-day congress began with an exclusive welcome reception in the airport tower. Against the impressive backdrop of Vienna Airport, the participants met to make contacts and hold initial discussions. This stylish opening reflected the importance of the forum as a platform for exchange between international experts. It was already clear at this point that the event would offer more than just theoretical discussions, but would serve as a bridge between visionary ideas and concrete implementation options.
Top-class cast and trend-setting topics
The list of participants read like a who's who of the aviation and business sectors. In addition to prominent names such as Susanne Kraus-Winkler, State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Labor and Economics, and Andreas Schieder, Member of the EU Parliament, leading figures from major airlines were also present. Michael Trestl from Austrian Airlines, Jason McGuiness from Ryanair, Silvia Mosquera from Wizz Air and Joseph Young from Delta Air Lines provided the airlines' perspective, while representatives such as Laila Odina from Riga Airport and Jiri Pos from Prague Airport described their views as airport operators.
The keynote speeches on the morning of December 5 set the tone for the event. In his opening speech, Vienna Airport CEO Julian Jäger underlined the central role of the CESEE region for the growth of European aviation. State Secretary for Tourism Susanne Kraus-Winkler highlighted the importance of aviation for economic development, while Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI Europe, outlined global trends and challenges.
Forward-looking content and practical discussions
The focus of the discussions was the question of how the aviation industry can position itself for the future in a time of economic and geopolitical uncertainty. Topics such as the development of the airline market and innovative growth strategies were examined in detail. The special challenges and opportunities of the CESEE region played a key role. With its strong growth potential, it offers both airlines and airports a variety of opportunities that should be exploited.
Another focus was cyber security, which is becoming increasingly important in the industry due to increasing digital networking. Experts discussed current threat scenarios and solutions to protect the IT infrastructure of airports and airlines.
The program was rounded off with a look at the future of "airport cities." These modern airport cities combine economic, logistical and social functions and are increasingly becoming independent economic areas. The participants exchanged ideas about the planning and implementation of such concepts and showed how airports can take on a new role as hubs for mobility and the economy.
Brilliant conclusion in the Museumsquartier
After three intensive days full of lectures, panels and discussions, the forum concluded with the “Aviation Get-Together” in Vienna’s Museumsquartier. In the historic stables, the participants met in a relaxed setting to deepen the impressions they had gained and to seal new partnerships.
The “Vienna CESEE Airport Forum” has shown how important the exchange between different aviation players is. In a time of global change, the event not only offers a platform for the analysis of current challenges, but also for the development of future-oriented strategies. Vienna has thus established itself as a hub for international discussions and impulses in the aviation industry.
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