West Avia – wings for regional growth

04.06.2026

West Avia presented the future testing environment to regional decision-makers

The aim of the West Avia – Wings for Regional Growth event was to increase understanding of the aviation, unmanned systems and new technology development environment being built in the region, while strengthening cooperation between different actors.

Decision-makers, companies and development organisations from South Ostrobothnia gathered at Seinäjoki Airport on 3 June to learn more about the development of West Avia and the opportunities it offers as a driver of growth for the entire region.

During the morning, participants heard expert presentations on the development of West Avia, airport operations, opportunities in the defence industry, flight training, rescue operations and international trends in the drone sector. The event also provided an opportunity to network and discuss how West Avia can serve business, innovation and development activities across South Ostrobothnia.

A live demo brought the opportunities of the testing environment to life

The highlight of the day was an impressive live demo, which demonstrated the kind of research, development and testing activities that can be carried out at West Avia.

In the West Avia showroom, participants were introduced to technologies being tested and developed in the area, as well as drone equipment from various companies. The solutions on display included systems from Kolibri Defence and unmanned systems from other partner companies.

The participants then moved to the airport’s demo area, where a live demo designed by Artificer Group showcased the use of unmanned systems in a realistic operating environment. During the demo, a Kolibri Defence drone carried out a carefully prepared and controlled pyrotechnic ignition, set up in advance by RMK Defence, on a designated target. The purpose was to illustrate the kinds of safely executed testing scenarios that the West Avia area enables, for example in the development of security, public authority and defence technologies.

As part of the same demonstration, participants were also introduced to Automaton’s larger aerial drone and a water drone. The demo showed in concrete terms that the West Avia testing environment enables the development and testing of new technologies on land, in water and in the air.

A versatile testing environment for companies and RDI actors

West Avia’s goal is to develop the Seinäjoki Airport area into one of Finland’s leading testing and development environments for unmanned aviation and autonomous systems. The area can be used for company product development, research and development projects, public authority exercises and various technology pilots in a real operating environment.

The event demonstrated concretely how different companies and technologies can be brought together in a shared testing environment. At the same time, it highlighted how West Avia serves as a platform for developing new innovations and fostering cooperation between companies, research organisations and public sector actors.

West Avia serves as a platform for developing new innovations and fostering cooperation between companies, research organisations and public sector actors.

The development of West Avia continues in close cooperation with regional companies, educational institutions and authorities, with the aim of building a nationally and internationally significant innovation environment for future aviation and autonomous systems in South Ostrobothnia..