The Vienna Aviation Days are back!
In 2026, the event will serve as a platform to connect industry, academia and policymaking to accelerate the development of green aviation technologies.
As Europe advances towards climate neutrality, cross-sector collaboration and technological innovation in aviation are more critical than ever.
The Vienna Aviation Days 2026 version will:
- Feature deeper international involvement,
- Display exhibitions of state-of-the-art and future aviation technologies and,
- Showcase how green aviation technologies fit into the European future, as the world is experiencing drastic changes.
The event will create space for discussion, strategic alignment, and practical steps forward.
The event will foster synergies between EU-funded projects, industry stakeholders, and policy initiatives, strengthening Europe’s competitive and sustainable aviation ecosystem.
Join us to connect, collaborate, and help define the next chapter of sustainable aviation.
The event is organized through the Horizon Europe project exFan (101138184). This event aims to establish a platform to enable the exchange of green aviation topics across aviation research projects and to build connections between the different projects, programmes and policymakers. The topics of the projects contribute to future aircraft propulsion systems.
Foreseen Agenda
Arrival
Good days start with a coffee in the company of nice people!
Welcome & introduction to the VAD26
Knowing what to expect helps to feel more comfortable and prepared for the day!
Sustainable Propulsion Systems - Disruptive Technologies and early validation #1
Research on disruptive technologies will shape the future of aviation. In order to develop completely new solutions, two ingredients are required (1) innovative ideas and (2) the means to develop and validate them.
- Susanna Bunse (FH Aachen)
Beyond CO₂: Aviation’s Full Climate Impact - Niccolo Ferrari (TU Wien)
Integration and preliminary analysis of compact plate-fin HX into the exFan propulsion system - Mavroudis Kavvalos (DLR)
Beyond Conventional Propulsion: Future Concepts for Civil Aviation - Felix Wohlfahrt (TU München)
Optimizing High-Speed Planetary Gear Systems for Electric Aviation: Challenges and Limits
Break
In case you missed the first coffee in the morning!
Sustainable Propulsion Systems - Disruptive Technologies and early validation #2
Research on disruptive technologies will shape the future of aviation. In order to develop completely new solutions, two ingredients are required (1) innovative ideas and (2) the means to develop and validate them.
- Dominik Murschenhofer (DLR)
Development approach for fuel cell-based powertrains of future zero-emission aircraft - Justus Zesch (AVL)
AVL Copper Bird - Testing methodology for electric and hybrid aviation propulsion systems - Florian Floh (Montanuni Leoben)
Comparing Different DCDC-Converter Topologies for Future Medium-Voltage All-Electric-Aircraft Propulsion Systems
Lunch
Some nutrients to get you through the day!
Exhibition Session
Taking a closer look on the developments and services of the European aviation industry. The next generation of powerful helicopter engines, hydrogen retrofits, ground infrastructure – all within your grasp (but please don‘t touch them).
- Beatrice Lorenz (MTU Aero Engines)
Next Generation Helicopter Engine - Christian Grim (Bosch Aviation)
916 H2 - Engineered for Change: Hydrogen Conversion of the 916 iS Engine - Hermann Ferschitz (Railtec Arsenal)
Railtec Arsenal Wind Tunnel - Rudy Cepeda Gomez (DLR)
FlyECO - Lorenz Braumann (ADT)
Aircraft Fast Charger & Hybrid/Electric Aviation Solutions
Coffee break
A coffee in the afternoon keeps you awake the rest of the day!
Powering the future: Electric Airports and Infrastructure
Regardless of which technology will make the run for the future propulsion systems, electricity will be here to stay: From aircraft with electric accessories, hybrid systems up to fully electric aircraft – all of them require electric power. This session outlines how power can be provided to such aircraft: Ground fast charging, electric airport operations and battery storage.
- Christopher Gross (ADT)
Impact of electric aviation on airport infrastructure - Florian Kruse (Evia Aero)
- EVIA AERO: Providing Green Electricity & Sustainable Electric Infrastructure for Airports in Europe
- Stralis – HTPEM Fuel Cell Technology: Status and Potential - Thomas Gattringer (Voltfactory)
Powering Aviation's Electric Future
Coffee break
A coffee in the afternoon keeps you awake the rest of the day!
Special Session #1: Battery Technology
The majority of topics presented at the VAD is cross cutting. We want to give our participants a deeper look into specific topics within our special sessions. This session shows new battery developments, both close to market as well as future battery chemistries.
- Christian Jung (HolyVolt)
Innovative Electrode and Cell Manufacturing Technologies via Screen Printing, Application to aqueous NMC Material Systems, and Outlook on Advanced Materials - Helmut Kühnelt (AIT)
Challenges in developing aeronautical high-performance batteries and multifunctional electrical energy storage
Summary Day 1 and Invitation to Networking Dinner
- Hanns Amri (ADT)
Evening Event with Networking Dinner
Enjoy a relaxing time on the top floor of the DC Tower and review the day in a pleasant atmosphere.
Introduction Day 2
International Industry Shaping future Airspace
To develop a new propulsion system or even aircraft towards market readiness, experience and efforts from multiple disciplines are necessary. These attributes are embodied by a strong European Industry, which will present their developments towards climate neutral aviation in this session.
- Jens Trübenbach (MTU Aero Engines)
Pathways to Sustainable Air Transport - Mohamed el Mehdi Noui (Volocopter/Diamond Aircraft)
Ultra-light eVTOL aircraft for air sports and private pilots
Coffee break
Morning coffee to energize the day!
Austrian Industry as enabler for Sustainable Aviation
Austria’s aviation industry is a key driver of innovation, technology, and economic growth, combining world-class research with highly specialized industrial capabilities. As a globally recognized supplier for the aerospace sector as well as airline operator, the industry plays an important role in shaping the future of sustainable aviation and advanced air mobility.
- Peter Malanik (Aviation Industry Austria)
Industrial Cooperation – beyond commercial: Key to national security and innovation - Rainer Kainzbauer (Austrian Airlines)
Sustainable & advanced technologies in daily flight and maintenance operation – reality check - Jakob Amon (PEGASUS)
Design and Development of the AGIROS Open Rotor and Propeller Icing Test Rig for the Rail Tec Arsenal Climatic Wind Tunnel
Lunch
Some nutrients to get you through the day!
Special Session #2: Additive Manufacturing for future Propulsion Systems
The majority of topics presented at the VAD is cross cutting. We want to give our participants a deeper look into specific topics within our special sessions. This session shows how it is possible to move from new specialized materials up to a product that solves problems of future propulsion systems.
- Miren Aristizabal (CEIT)
Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Routes for Next-Generation Aerospace Systems - Philipp Schartau (Qdot)
Thermal Management: The hidden bottleneck constraining clean aerospace
Coffee break
A coffee in the afternoon keeps you awake the rest of the day!
Sustainable Aviation in a changing world - Dual use opportunities in European R&D
- Helena de Sousa Falcao (Alliance for zero Emission Aviation)
- The Alliance for Zero-Emission Aviation and a Roadmap for the deployment of hybrid, electric and hydrogen flights in Europe
- What EDF is already doing in adjacent dual-use propulsion fields
- Janik Fernandez (Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking)
Clean Aviation - Sophie Hoffmann (BMIMI)
Panelist - Kai Wagner (BMWE)
Panelist - Ron van Manen (Luchtvaart in Transitie)
Panelist
Summary Day 2, Closing Remarks
- Hanns Amri (ADT)
Location
Vienna, Austria
Meliá Vienna, DC Tower
Discover the highlights of Vienna Aviation Days 2025!
Read the event report, press release and explore our photo gallery.
Press Release Photo Gallery Download the VAD2025 report
