Guest Speakers

Mr. Timo Harakka, Minister of Transport and Communications of Finland

Minister of Transport and Communications
Master of Arts (Theatre and Drama)
Member of Parliament since 2015, Social Democratic Party
Finnish Broadcasting Company, Journalist, Producer 1997–2014
Journalist, Columnist, several papers 1981–2014
Columnist, journalist, author of six books

Andreas Kollbye Aks, CEO Widerøe Zero

Leads the transformation of Norway’s oldest- and Scandinavia’s largest regional airline towards a more sustainable business platform, acknowledging a new era of environmental concerns.
Initiated, established and leads the corporate spin out Widerøe Zero AS – designing viable business around new aircraft concepts. In collaboration with strategic partners, Widerøe Zero is aiming for the first Zero Emission flights to take place before 2030.
Experience as Deputy Accountable Manager/ – COO, with a deep understanding of how “nuts and bolts” come together in an airline. Experienced in aircraft acquisitions and management of Entry Into Service (EIS) programmes. Lead the transformation of Widerøe from a turbo-prop operator to a modern jet airliner in 15 months, with the global introduction of the Embraer E2.
Former Management Consultant in PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) with broad knowledge from a variety of projects within Strategy & Operations.
Work experience from the Nordic investement bank ABG Sundal Collier ASA.
Extensive international experience, with a proven track record of achieving tangible results with multinational teams across time zones, cultures and continents.
Educated in Finance, Management & Economics with a Bachelors degree (B.Sc) from Norwegian School of Management & University of St. Gallen and a Masters (MLitt) degree from University of Saint Andrews.
Keen sailor, skier and light aircraft pilot!

Riku Aho, Vice President, Fleet Management, Finnair

Riku Aho is a sourcing professional who joined Finnair in 2011 and acts currently as VP Fleet Management and Managing Director of Finnair Aircraft Finance Oy. In this role Riku looks after aircraft trading, leasing and asset management. During this time he has engaged in simplifying, modernizing and restructuring Finnair’s fleet by the phase-out of several aircraft fleets including MD11s, B757s, A340s and E170s, and introduction of the A321 sharklet and A350. Riku has also overseen Finnair’s aircraft financing transactions including sale and leaseback and ECA financing. He has a background in engineering and physics and has held various positions in sourcing and quality management in Australia and Finland. Riku’s interests lie in fleet planning, strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management and future technologies enabling zero emission flight. Riku holds an M.Sc (Eng) degree from Tampere University of Technology.

Anders Lindqvis, Nordic Network for Electric Aviation

Riku Huhta, Project Manager, Strategic Transport Systems, Destia

Riku Huhta (M.Sc. (Tech.)) is a Project Manager of Strategic Transport Systems business unit of Destia. Destia is the biggest infrastructure service company in Finland and part of the global Colas Group. During his over 5-year career Riku has analyzed many key challenges the transport system is facing. In his work, he analyzes the interaction of industry, trade and tourism and the transport system. He has carried out versatile studies related to sustainable passenger and freight transport, infrastructure and alternative fuels. Lately, he has focused on electric and hydrogen aviation and their transport system effects. Huhta has graduated from Tampere University of Technology with Transport systems as his major.

Senja Kuokkanen, Strategy Manager, Neste

Senja Kuokkanen is a Strategy manager at Neste. Her background is in corporate sustainability and working with voluntary climate targets, programs and GHG accounting. At Neste, Senja has worked closely with the Renewable Aviation business unit in developing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) based offerings to aviation end-customers and engaging with stakeholders to help companies meet their climate targets with SAF.

Johan Norberg, Head of Training, Green Flight Academy

Johan Norberg is Green Flight Academy’s Head of Training and an experienced flight instructor, flight examiner and pilot. He has worked for many years abroad at airlines around the world. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering from KTH. Johan has designed the world’s first ATPL program from a sustainability perspective where the EASA approved electric aircraft Pipistrel Velis Electro can be flown for up to 30% of the total flight hours of the training program for commercial pilots. Johan has flown the electric aircraft during summer and winter and gained experience and knowledge that he is happy to share.

Olli Hakanen, Respace

Olli Hakanen is a Finnish architect, entrepreneur and Director Of Helsinki Quick Step and Helsinki Stream City Projects (www.helsinkiquickstep.fi). He founded Respace Company in 1995. His private house projects were published in international architectural reviews like A+U. During 2000-2010 he worked as the architect of the spearhead projects of strategic workspace consultancy in Finland. Since 2009 Hakanen has been interested in the (r)evolution of urban mobility. Hakanen develops new solutions created by the desire for symbiosis between human made and natural environment. Developing ”Circular Economy of Land Use” is his answer how to combat climate change and biodiversity depletion in economically and socially wise way. Hakanen is convinced that electric passenger aircraft for 9-19 persons will play an important role in the creation of a nation wide system of sustainable mobility services for Finland.

Dominic Weeks, Head of External Affairs and Marketing, ZeroAvia

Dominic Weeks is responsible for all of ZeroAvia’s external communications and policy-related work. Over nearly a 20-year career in communications and public affairs-related roles in both the UK and the US, Dominic has worked with some of the most disruptive start-ups and established blue chips alike, increasingly focusing on clean technology and clean mobility. He joined ZeroAvia from London-based net zero-focused consultancy Madano in 2021 after three years working with the hydrogen-electric propulsion innovator. Prior to that, he spent nearly eight years in Boston working for technology communications consultancy SHIFT Communications after beginning his career in London.

Timo Soini, Host of the Debate

Master of Political Science 1981
Finnish Rural Party, Vice Chair 1989-1992, Party Secretary 1992-1995
Chairman of the Finns Party 1997-2017
Member of Espoo City Council 2001-2021
Member of Parliament 2003-2009, 2011-2019
Member of European Parliament 2009-2011
Chair of Foreign Affairs Committee of the Finnish Parliament 2011-2015
Deputy Prime Minister of Finland 2015-2017
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland, 2015-2019

Juho Eerola, Member of Parliament (Southeast Finland), Second Deputy Speaker of the Parliament*

Hanna Holopainen, Member of Parliament (Southeast Finland), Vice Chairman of the the Greens party*

Terhi Koulumies, Member of Parliament (Helsinki), National Coalition Party*

Ari Torniainen, Member of Parliament (Southeast Finland), Centre Party*

Mika Ebeling, candidate for Member of Parliament (Helsinki), Christian Democratic Party*

* Photos from participant webpages/parliament photos.