Aviation Forum Austria 2026

17. - 18. March 2026
Austrian Economic Chambers (WKÖ) Wiedner Hauptstraße 63, 1045 Vienna, AT

The Aviation Forum Austria 2026 is dedicated to the future of research and innovation in aviation, both nationally and internationally. Decision-makers, experts, and professionals from the aviation industry will discuss and reflect on current trends and innovations in aviation, as well as future needs for research and development and the resulting potential for collaboration.

Organizer

  • Austrian Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMIMI)
  • Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG)
  • Austrian Economic Chamber (WKÖ)
  • Aviation Industry Austria (AIA)

Program

March 17th, 2026

Company visits and networking dinner (optional)
Organiser: Aviation Industry Austria (AIA)

March 18th, 2026

Moderator: Cornelia Ertl

Opening

  • 09.00 a.m. Registration & Welcome Coffee
  • 09.30 a.m. Welcome Remarks
    Peter Hanke, Minister for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMIMI)
    Reinhard Marak, AICAT/WKO

Session: Future of Aviation

  • 9.45 a.m. Shaping the Future of Aviation by Disruptive R&T
    Jean François Barrand, Head Of Start-Up engagement,
    Airbus Commercial Engineering and Central Innovation Team
  • 10.15 a.m. Panel Discussion: Shaping the Future of Aviation by Disruptive R&T
    • Jean François Barrand, Airbus
    • Hanns Amri, Advanced Drivetrain Technologies
    • Rene Adam, FACC
    • András Gálffy, Turbulence Solutions
    • Doris Matschegg, BEST - Bioenergy and Sustainable Technologies mbH
  • 11.00 a.m. R&T Gallery Walks 
    1. MOeBIUS.H - Fabrice Giuliani, Daniel Kofler, Combustion Bay One
    2. Material-Oriented Modeling and Validation Across the Aerospace Manufacturing Chain—from Primary Forming to Machining - Drazen Brescakovic und Johannes Neumüller, Materials Center Leoben (MCL)
    3. Manage the Weather - Markus Kerschbaum, Austro Control, Meteorologie - Birgit Reinhofer-Mitterer, Austro Control, Innovation Center
    4. AF Airlab - Peter Hofmann, TU Wien, Alexander Hauthaler, Diamond Aircraft
  • 12.00 p.m. Lunch Break & Networking
  • 1.25 p.m. Welcome Remarks by Host
    Wolfgang Hesoun, Vice President Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO)

Session: International Cooperation in Aviation

  • 1.30 p.m. Strategy, Vision & Common Roadmaps
    Andreas Boschen, Executive Director SESAR 3 JU
  • 1.50 p.m. Panel Discussion: International Governmental and Industrial Cooperation
    • Andreas Boschen, SESAR 3 JU
    • Volker Fuchs, Test Fuchs GmbH
    • Christoph Götze, Frequentis
    • Karin Tausz, FFG
    • Joao Taborda, EMBRAER
  • 2.45 p.m. Industrial Cooperation - Overview
    Sylvia Vana, BMWET
  • 3.00 p.m. Coffee break & Networking

Session: RTD Infrastructure

  • 3.30 p.m. Key Note: "From Research to Market: The Strategic Role of Standards"
    Mark Watson, Technical Programme Manager, EUROCAE
  • 3:50 p.m. Examples of National and International Infrastructures
    • Up Lift, Adrian Klassen, DLR PT-LF
    • Liquid Hydrogen Lab, Nejc Klopcic, HyCentA Research GmbH
    • BioSAF-Pilot, Markus Lehner, Montanuniversität Leoben
    • Airport user perspective, Thomas Dworschak, Vienna Airport
    • Fly Net Zero 2050 – Infrastructure as a means to an end, Rafael Schvartzman, IATA

Closing

  • 5.00 p.m. Networking Cocktail
  • 6.00 p.m. End

More Information and regularly updated agenda on the FFG website.

Downloads

Target Audience

Representatives from companies in the aviation (supplier) industry as well as the air transport sector (airports, airlines, air traffic service providers, ...), aviation-related organizations and initiatives, academic and non-academic research institutions, as well as stakeholders of societal challenges.

Contact Address

FFG
DI(FH) Vera Eichberger
Tel.: +43 (577) 55-5062
E-mail: vera.eichberger@ffg.at

More contacts on the FFG website