Riga Aviation Forum is a high-level aviation business conference that focuses on opportunities and challenges of aviation in the Baltics 

 

Riga Aviation Forum brings together European and Baltic aviation stakeholders, leaders, experts and scholars from various areas of aviation. The Baltic aviation leaders at RAF discuss the strategic development of the industry in the region, while the leaders of industry’s leading companies outline the solutions offered by the industry to today’s challenges, focusing on the innovation and efficiency on the way to sustainable and climate-neutral aviation.

 

The conference also focuses on the future innovations of aviation, multimodality, the creation of a new urban environment around air hubs and the challenges of urban mobility.

Riga Aviation Forum 2024 will start in:

Riga Aviation Forum 2024 will take place on

October 3, 2024

Venue: ATTA Centre, Krasta Street 60, Riga, Latvia

This year, at the most significant industry forum in the Baltics, leaders of major companies, experts, stakeholders and decision-makers will give their key-notes and meet in panel discussions and hard-talks to discuss current issues and trends in the aviation sector in the Baltics, Europe, and worldwide, the possible scenarios of the future of aviation in a net-zero-carbon world, the unique dynamics of air freight in the Baltic countries, the crucial intersection of employment and education within aviation, the transformation of airports from air transportation hubs to new-generation socio-economic centers and the development and challenges of ground handling in the region.

As part of the forum, this year we also will celebrate a special event – the 50th anniversary of RIX Riga Airport.

Additionally, at RAF 2024 EXPO, leading companies in the industry will showcase their offerings, services, and innovations.

 

The participation in Riga Aviation Forum is free of charge.

 

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REGISTRATION TO RAF 2024 IS CLOSED!

8:30 - 9:00
Registration, coffee, networking
  • Powered by
9:00 - 12:00

Main Session

9:00 - 9:10
Mr. Zigmars Vestfals, CEO of Latvian Aviation Association. Opening Adresse
9:10 - 9:20
Mr. Kaspars Briskens, Minister of Transport of Latvia. Welcome Adresse
9:20 - 9:40
Mr. Serkan Kaptan, Board Member at ACI Europe & CEO at TAV Airports
9:40 – 10:00
Mrs. Catrin Mattsson, Area Manager for the Nordic and Baltic region at IATA
10:00 - 10:20
Mr. Munish Khurana, Senior Adviser at Eurocontrol European Green Sky Directorate
10:20 - 10:50

Keynote Interview 

Mr. Martin Gauss, CEO of airBaltic vs Richard Maslen, Head of Analysis, CAPA
10:50 - 11:20

Hard Talk: The future of aviation in a net-zero-carbon world: possible scenarios

  • Moderator
  • Mr. Daniel Koerhuis, Policy Officer for European Investments at the European Commission
  • Participants
  • Mr. Juriaan Kellermann, CEO at Fokker Next Gen
  • Mr. Ivan Berazhny, Senior Lecturer at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences
  • Mr. Daniel Froehly, Business Development Director at SITA
  • Mr. Robert Somers, Group Director | Change Management at ASL Airlines
11:20 - 12:00

Coffee break

Opening of RAF 2024 EXPO, networking  
  • Enjoy with 
12:00 - 13:00

Runway to Success: RIX Riga Airport 50th Anniversary Celebration

  • Mr. Kaspars Briskens, Ministry of Transport of Latvia
  • Mr. Juris Kanels, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of RIX Riga Airport
  • Mrs. Laila Odina, CEO of RIX Riga Airport: RIX Riga Airport: 50 Years of Development
  • A special RIX50 music and light performance by award-winning Latvian composer, producer and percussionist Rihards Zaļupe
  • Rewarding Ceremony for RIX Riga Airport partners and employees
13:00 - 14:00

Lunch

14:00-15:00

CEO’s Talk: NextGen Airports: From Air Traffic Hubs to New-Quality Socio-Economic Centers

  • Moderator
  • David Feldman, Managing Partner at Exambela
  • Participiants
  • Mrs. Laila Odina, CEO at RIX Riga Airport
  • Mr. Riivo Tuvike, CEO at Tallinn Airport
  • Mr. Simonas Bartkus, CEO at Lithuanian Airports
  • Mrs. Meiltje de Groot, CEO at Groningen Airport Eelde, Chairman of the Dutch Association of Airports
15:00 - 16:00

Hard Talk: Baltic Complementarity as Basis for Competitiveness: Challenges and Solutions

  • Moderator:
  • Daniel Koerhuis, Policy Officer for European Investments at the European Commission
  • Participants:
  • Mr. Arturs Kokars, Director of Aviation Department of Ministry of Transport of Latvia 
  • Mrs. Orijana Mašale, Chairperson of the Board of Civil Aviation Association (CAVIA) of Lithuania
  • Mr. Jaan Tamm, General Manager of Estonian Aviation Cluster
  • Mr. Zigmars Vestfals, CEO of Latvian Aviation Association
  • Mr. Edvinas Demenius, CEO at SmartLynx Airlines
  • Mr. Florian Kruse, CEO at EVIA AERO
16:10 - 17:10

Panel Discussions

Main Hall
In an industry where innovation meets expertise, this discussion serves as a platform to explore the crucial intersection of employment and education within aviation. From discussing emerging trends in workforce development to addressing the evolving skill sets required in this dynamic field, our aim is to foster dialogue and collaboration among industry professionals, educators, and policymakers.
  • Moderator: Ivan Berazhny, Senior Lecturer at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences
  • Participants:
  • Kristaps Lapsa, General Manager at airBaltic Training
  • Ilmārs Blumbergs, Leading Researcer and Associated Professor at RTU
  • Deimantė Žilinskienė, Director of the Business Innovation and Communication School at Kazimieras Simonavicius University (KSU), Board Member at the National Aviation Association (LAVIA), Lecturer
  • Iluta Savicka, Associated Lector at Estonian Aviation Academy
Samsung show room
In this session, we'll delve into the unique dynamics of air freight in the Baltic countries. From navigating regulatory hurdles to leveraging innovative technologies, our goal is to foster collaboration and find solutions to enhance efficiency and resilience in the Baltic air cargo industry. Join us for insightful discussions and explore opportunities for growth and optimization in this vital sector.
Moderator: Arvīds Maurāns, Manager at Baltic Cargo Center
  • Participiants: 
  • Maarten Van As, Managing Director at Air Cargo Netherlands
  • Dmitrijs Voroncovs, Cargo Operations Lead at SmartLynx Airlines
  • Andrius Antanaitis, Director of Business Development for Europe at Strike Aviation Group
  • Ilja Seliverstovs, VP Cargo at airBaltic
Room G
Join us for an in-depth discussion on reducing the environmental impact of Ground Support Equipment (GSE) to explore strategies for making ground operations more sustainable and safe. We will cover the transition to electric and hydrogen fuel cell powered GSE, enhancing energy efficiency, using eco-friendly materials, streamlining operations to save fuel, utilizing renewable energy solutions for charging and faster refuelling, and the importance of regular maintenance and upgrades.
  • Moderator: Kaspars Bernans, Director of Competence Center at “Pasažieru vilciens”
  • Participants:
  • Mete Erna, CEO at Havas
  • Vytautas Čekanavičius, CEO at  Baltic Ground Services (BGS)
  • Indrek Nolvak, Member of the Management Board at AS Tallinn Airport GH
  • Linas Vaškys, CEO at Litcargus

Speakers 2024

European and Baltic aviation stakeholders, leaders, experts - the list of speakers is growing. Stay tuned for updates!

  • Catrin Mattsson

    Catrin Mattsson

    Area Manager for the Nordic and Baltic region at IATA

  • Juriaan Kellermann

    Juriaan Kellermann

    CEO at Fokker Next Gen

  • Serkan Kaptan

    Serkan Kaptan

    Board member at ACI Europe & CEO at TAV Airports

  • Munish Khurana

    Munish Khurana

    Senior Adviser at Eurocontrol European Green Sky Directorate

  • Daniel Froehly

    Daniel Froehly

    Business Development Director at SITA

  • Robert Somers

    Robert Somers

    Group Director | Change Management at ASL Airlines

  • Arturs Kokars

    Arturs Kokars

    Director of the Aviation Department of the Ministry of Transport of Latvia

  • Martin Gauss

    Martin Gauss

    CEO & President at airBaltic

  • Richard Maslen

    Richard Maslen

    Head of Analysis at CAPA – Centre for Aviation

  • Edvinas Demenius

    Edvinas Demenius

    CEO at SmartLynx

  • Laila Odina

    Laila Odina

    CEO at RIX Riga Airport

  • Simonas Bartkus

    Simonas Bartkus

    CEO at Lithuanian Airports

  • Riivo Tuvike

    Riivo Tuvike

    CEO at Tallinn Airport

  • Meiltje De Groot

    Meiltje De Groot

    CEO at Groningen Airport Eelde & Chairman at the Dutch Association of Airports

  • David Feldman

    David Feldman

    Managing Partner at Exambela Consulting

  • Mete Erna

    Mete Erna

    CEO at Havas

  • Zigmars Vestfals

    Zigmars Vestfals

    CEO at Latvian Aviation Association

  • Jaan Tamm

    Jaan Tamm

    General Manager at Estonian Aviation Cluster

  • Orijana Masale

    Orijana Masale

    Chairperson of the Board at Civil Aviation Association (CAVIA) of Lithuania

  • Florian Kruse

    Florian Kruse

    CEO at EVIA AERO

  • Ivars Pavasars

    Ivars Pavasars

    Head of RIX Academy

  • Kristaps Lapsa

    Kristaps Lapsa

    General Manager at airBaltic Training

  • Ivan Berazhny

    Ivan Berazhny

    Senior Lecturer at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences

  • Ilmars Blumbergs

    Ilmars Blumbergs

    Leading Researcer and Associated Professor at Riga Technical University

  • Kaspars Bernans

    Kaspars Bernans

    Director of Competence Center at “Pasažieru vilciens”

  • Indrek Nõlvak

    Indrek Nõlvak

    Member of the Management Board at AS Tallinn Airport GH

  • Deimantė Žilinskienė

    Deimantė Žilinskienė

    Director of the Business Innovation and Communication School at Kazimieras Simonavicius University (KSU), Board Member at the National Aviation Association (LAVIA), Lecturer

  • Iluta Savicka

    Iluta Savicka

    Associated Lector at Estonian Aviation Academy

  • Daniel Koerhuis

    Daniel Koerhuis

    Policy Officer for European Investments at the European Commission

  • Vytautas Čekanavičius

    Vytautas Čekanavičius

    CEO at Baltic Ground Services (BGS)

  • Linas Vaškys

    Linas Vaškys

    CEO at Litcargus

  • Arvids Maurans

    Arvids Maurans

    Manager at Baltic Cargo Center

  • Maarten Van As

    Maarten Van As

    Managing Director at Air Cargo Netherlands

  • Dmitrijs Voroncovs

    Dmitrijs Voroncovs

    Cargo Operations Lead at SmartLynx

  • Andrius Antanaitis

    Andrius Antanaitis

    Director of Business Development for Europe at Strike Aviation Group

  • Ilja Seliverstovs

    Ilja Seliverstovs

    VP Cargo at airBaltic

Riga Aviation Forum sincerely thanks our sponsors for supporting us and making RAF possible!

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