Article by Reshma Kurian
The aviation industry is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by rapid advancements in unmanned aerial systems (UAS), autonomous technologies, and smart logistics solutions. As these innovations evolve, the need for real-world testing environments and strong collaboration becomes increasingly important. ntire region, where companies and RDI (research, development and innovation) actors can develop new solutions, improve accessibility, and open doors to international markets.
On 20 April 2026, the West Avia team visited Oulu Zone, one of Finland’s leading testing environments for drone and autonomous operations. The visit served as an important milestone in strengthening collaboration, gaining practical insights, and supporting West Avia’s vision of building a future-ready aviation ecosystem.
PROGRAMME OVERVIEW
Representatives from the City of Helsinki, City of Vantaa, and Forum Virium Helsinki. The programme provided a valuable platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and exploration of advanced drone operations.
Organized by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, the day included expert-led presentations and live demonstrations showcasing the capabilities of modern drone technologies in real-world environments.
PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS
One of the most impactful aspects of the programme was the opportunity to observe live drone operations in action.
Key highlights included:
- BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) operations, enabling long-distance drone missions
- Integration of 5G connectivity for real-time communication and control
- Operations within controlled airspace, ensuring safety and scalability
- Demonstrations of multi-domain systems, including both aerial and ground-based technologies
The programme also featured unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) demonstrations, highlighting the importance of integrating aerial and ground systems in future mobility solutions.
These real-world demonstrations provided valuable insight into how advanced technologies perform in practical conditions, particularly in Finland’s demanding environments.
OULUZONE AS PART OF THE ECOSYSTEM
Oulu Zone plays an important role within Finland’s drone and autonomous systems landscape. It offers a controlled and scalable environment for testing advanced technologies and validating new use cases.
Its capabilities in BVLOS operations, connectivity, and integrated testing make it a strong example of how infrastructure can support innovation.
At the same time, the visit highlighted an important reality — the growing demand for testing environments cannot be met by a single location alone.
WEST AVIA’S ROLE: EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES
This is where West Avia plays a key role.
West Avia is actively developing a next-generation aviation and business ecosystem at Seinäjoki Airport, designed to expand Finland’s capacity for innovation in aviation and autonomous systems.
As highlighted by Elisabet Kivimäki:
“At West Avia, we are inspired by the Oulu Zone approach and hope to follow in the same footsteps in opening up new and exciting opportunities for the whole drone ecosystem.”
The focus is on creating real opportunities for industry stakeholders by:
- Enabling scalable drone testing and BVLOS operations
- Supporting new business models in logistics and aviation
- Providing accessible infrastructure for startups and enterprises
- Accelerating the transition from innovation to commercialization
- Encouraging collaboration between industry, research, and the public sector
Rather than replicating existing environments, West Avia aims to complement and expand the ecosystem, making it more accessible, flexible, and future-ready.
FROM INSIGHT TO IMPLEMENTATION
The visit to Oulu Zone was not only about observing advanced technology but also about understanding how to translate these insights into practical development.
The hands-on demonstrations, combined with discussions among stakeholders, reinforced the importance of:
- Real-world testing environments
- Reliable and scalable infrastructure
- Cross-sector collaboration
- Continuous innovation
These insights directly support West Avia’s strategy in building a platform that meets real industry needs.
BUILDING A CONNECTED INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM
The future of aviation innovation lies in connected ecosystems rather than isolated facilities.
By combining established environments like Oulu Zone with emerging platforms such as West Avia, Finland can:
Increase testing capacity
Improve accessibility for companies
Accelerate innovation cycles
Strengthen its position in global aviation markets
West Avia is positioned as a key enabler in this ecosystem — helping to bridge gaps, expand opportunities, and support long-term growth.
FUTURE OUTLOOK
Looking ahead, West Avia will continue to focus on:
- Developing advanced testing and operational environments
- Expanding collaboration across Finland and internationally
- Supporting the commercialization of drone and autonomous technologies
- Enabling sustainable and scalable aviation solutions
The insights gained from the Oulu Zone visit will play a crucial role in shaping these developments.
shaping the future of aviation
The visit on 20 April 2026 marked an important step in West Avia’s journey toward building a future-ready aviation ecosystem.
While Oulu Zone demonstrates the strength of existing infrastructure, West Avia represents the next phase of expanding opportunities, increasing accessibility, and enabling innovation at scale.
West Avia is actively contributing to the growth of Finland’s drone ecosystem and shaping the future of aviation.
By focusing on collaboration, infrastructure, and opportunity creation, West Avia is actively contributing to the growth of Finland’s drone ecosystem and shaping the future of aviation.
visit at oulu zone
Elisabet Kivimäki
Asiakkuuspäällikkö, Into Seinäjoki
