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ACI EUROPE and Vienna Airport bring forth a new aviation conference with focus on Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe and its increasingly important role in the global air transport sector

5 November 2024

Brussels and Vienna, 05 November 2024: ACI EUROPE and Vienna Airport are set to host the “Vienna CESEE Airport Forum” from December 4–6, 2024, welcoming top aviation leaders and experts from across Central, Eastern, and Southeast Europe to Vienna. This brand new aviation conference will spotlight the region’s growing significance in the global mobility landscape and address current challenges as the industry rebounds.

Key representatives from airlines, airports, technology firms, and industry organisations will join policymakers and business leaders to discuss strategies shaping the future of aviation in the CESEE region and beyond. This three‑day forum will feature expert panels, industry insights, and networking events, including an "Aviation Get Together" and exclusive tours of Vienna’s cultural highlights.

“With this new event, we are highlighting the dynamic aviation sector in Central, Eastern, and Southeast Europe, showcasing both its current impact and future potential,” said Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI EUROPE. “In contrast to fragmented aviation policies in many Western countries, the CESEE region is distinctly positioned to harness the significant socio‑economic benefits of connectivity growth. This forum will offer international stakeholders an invaluable opportunity to collaborate and set the region’s air transport on a strong path toward success”.

“The global aviation industry is once again on a growth path following the COVID‑19 crisis but is not developing uniformly. Business in Asia, USA and the Middle East is showing a massive increase whereas the upswing in Europe is proceeding more slowly. The region of Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe is one of the fastest growing markets, and Vienna plays a special role here as a central hub. At the Vienna CESEE Airport Forum, we will discuss which challenges are ahead of us and in which direction the European aviation sector is moving with prominent aviation experts,” said Julian Jäger, Joint CEO and COO at Vienna Airport.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:

  • December 4: Welcome Reception
  • December 5: Conference sessions, followed by the VIE Wine Festival
  • December 6: Conference, workshops, and an airport tour

 

The speakers will include: Laila Odina, Chairperson of Executive Board and CEO at Riga International Airport; Andrzej Ilkow, CEO of Polish Airports; Jesús Caballero, CEO of SOF Connect; Jiri Pos, CEO of Prague Airport; Jason McGuinness, Chief Commercial Officer at Ryanair; Jiri Marek, CEO of Air Serbia; Joseph Young, General Manager - Europe, Middle East, Africa and India at Delta Air Lined; Mario Holzer, Managing Director Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies; Oliver Jankovec, Director General ACI EUROPE and Julian Jäger, Joint CEO and COO Vienna Airport.

Register now at cesee.viennaairport.com. Media representatives are invited to attend free of charge; please email presse@viennaairport.com for accreditation.

 

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  • Note to editors

    For more information, contact:

    ACI EUROPE
    Agata Lyznik: Director of Communications & Media
    Tel: +32 2 552 09 89
    Email: agata.lyznik@aci-europe.org

    Press Office Flughafen Wien AG
    Peter Kleemann: Company Spokesman
    Tel: +431 700 723 000
    Email: p.kleemann@viennaairport.com

    About ACI EUROPE
    ACI EUROPE is the European region of Airports Council International (ACI), the only worldwide professional association of airport operators. ACI EUROPE represents over 500 airports in 55 countries. Our members facilitate over 90% of commercial air traffic in Europe. Airports and air connectivity support 14 million jobs, generating €851 billion in European economic activity (5% of GDP). In response to the Climate Emergency, in June 2019 our members committed to achieving Net Zero carbon emissions for operations under their control by 2050, without offsetting.

    About Vienna Airport
    With 31.7 million passengers in 2019 (pre-pandemic) and 29,5 million passengers in 2023, Vienna Airport stands as Austria’s largest airport and a key international hub in the heart of Europe, with a strategic focus on Eastern connections. As one of the few publicly traded airports in Europe, Vienna Airport offers a comprehensive suite of services across the entire travel chain—from ground handling and passenger processing to security services—all in-house. In recognition of its high service quality, Vienna Airport was awarded “Best European Airport” by ACI EUROPE in 2022, and it has held Skytrax’s “4-Star Airport” designation since 2015. Vienna Airport’s AirportCity provides an ideal business location, featuring state-of-the-art office spaces, a cutting-edge Vienna Airport Conference & Innovation Center, and a wide array of services, including a medical center, fitness facilities, numerous shopping options, and more. The airport employs over 23,000 people across 250 companies, including over 5,000 directly with Flughafen Wien AG, making it one of the largest employers in the region. Sustainability and energy efficiency are top priorities for Vienna Airport: since 2023, the airport has operated its entire facility in a CO2-neutral manner.