Testarena

Avinor and the Civil Aviation Authority have entered into a cooperation agreement to establish Norway as an international testing ground for zero and low emissions aircraft. The establishment will be a key measure to achieve the goal of fossil-free Norwegian aviation by 2050.

Electric aircraft on tarmac under blue sky, showcasing sustainable aviation technology at an airport.

What does test arena mean?

A collaboration between Avinor and the Civil Aviation Authority to offer Norway's extensive airport network and Norwegian airspace as an international test arena for zero- and low-emission aircraft.

Avinor provides infrastructure, airspace, and access to energy, while the Civil Aviation Authority ensures regulatory facilitation.

The test arena will give the market a common contact point in Avinor and the Civil Aviation Authority, as well as a common process from concept to test and demonstration flights. This includes infrastructure, airspace, energy, and regulatory facilitation for national and international actors who wish to test and demonstrate zero- and low-emission aircraft in Norway.

Purpose
The purpose of the agreement is to facilitate the accelerated introduction of zero- and low-emission aircraft by reducing barriers to testing and demonstration. Through the test arena, we will gain knowledge, prepare the aviation ecosystem, and lay the foundation for scaling up new technologies.

Work packages under the Avinor/Civil Aviation Authority test arena agreement

- Market dialogue
- Airports, infrastructure, and airspace
- Energy supply
  - Electricity
  - Hydrogen (H2)
- Regulatory sandbox
  - The Civil Aviation Authority leads the work to apply the EASA regulations for regional air mobility
- Communication and knowledge sharing

Location
The test arena will in principle cover the entire Norwegian airport network and airspace.

Specific geographic locations for establishing test operations will be determined in dialogue with market participants, based on their needs, as well as assessments of technological maturity and availability of relevant energy. Why Norway as a test arena? Norway is well-suited as an early market for zero and low emission technology in aviation due to several factors: Access to renewable energy (99 percent, mainly hydropower) An extensive airport network from the hub Oslo Airport to small local airports in the Arctic Many short flights and thin routes Low traffic airspace and low ground hazard Political willingness to contribute to the transition: public funding and public service obligations (PSOs) Norway relies on aviation for settlement and commercial activity throughout the country High potential for use cases Well-developed electromobility Ambitious sustainability goals Joint project with the Civil Aviation Authority (regulator) and Avinor (airports and airspace) About the partners: Avinor is a wholly state-owned limited company under the Ministry of Transport and is responsible for 43 state-owned airports and national air navigation services. Avinor has taken a leading role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the aviation industry, including the development of electric aircraft and the provision of sustainable aviation fuel. Avinor ensures safe and efficient travel for about 50 million passengers annually, of which half travel to and from Oslo Airport.

Use of the test arena

Usage of the Test Arena

Stakeholders among producers and operators must be able to deliver an operational concept and respond to predefined qualification criteria within the following main areas:

- climate and environment
- innovation
- maturity
- implementation
- value creation

The expression of interest must include at least the following information:

- Information about the company, visions, and plans
- Flight concept (capacity (PAX/cargo), energy carrier, range)
- Initial plan for testing and demonstration at the test arena

For further dialogue, please contact .

Roadmap towards testing and demonstration

*1 Letter of Intent

*2 Binding agreement for use of the test arena

Request for proposals

Demonstrate the Future of Aviation at Norway’s Test Arena

Avinor and the Civil Aviation Authority of Norway invite industry partners to take part in the next phase of the Test Arena for Zero and Low Emission Aviation — a national platform for testing and demonstrating the next generation of sustainable aircraft.

The Test Arena will host several groundbreaking projects over the coming years. We now invite proposals for projects starting in 2026, with testing and demonstration activities to be carried out during 2026–2027.

This is a unique opportunity to test, demonstrate and validate new aircraft concepts and technologies in real operational environments — within one of the world’s most ambitious national frameworks for sustainable aviation.

Call for Proposals 2025

Topic: Demonstration of zero and low emission aircraft suitable for the regional aviation sector

Testing and demonstration shall primarily be performed in 2026, or latest in 2027, with preparatory activities starting in 2026.

Key Dates

Proposal deadline: 31 October 2025, 16:00 CET
Project agreements: Targeted by end of 2025
Project period: Start-up in 2026, duration 6–24 months (including preparatory activities)

What We’re Looking For

We welcome proposals from companies, research institutions, or consortiums that can contribute meaningfully to the Test Arena’s main objective:
to accelerate the transition to zero and low emission aviation by generating and sharing knowledge on the use of new, environmentally sustainable technologies.

Projects will be evaluated based on their impact across five key thematic areas:

Climate and environment – measurable emission reduction potential
Innovation – technological novelty and relevance
Maturity – readiness level and feasibility
Execution – project management and safety approach
Scalability – potential for commercial adoption

Selection of proposals will be conducted through a holistic assessment of the anticipated impact on the overall objective of the Test Arena. One or more proposals may be selected, depending on available funding and the capacity for simultaneous project activities.

Why Norway

Norway offers an unparalleled environment for pioneering sustainable aviation.
With clean, renewable energy, short-haul networks, and a strong regulatory and innovation ecosystem, the Test Arena provides a real-world setting to accelerate new technologies from prototype to practice.

Join the Journey Toward Zero Emissions

Be part of shaping the future of flight.
Submit your proposal by 31 October 2025

Please use the following links to find more information and submit proposals:

RFP documents

Submission

Contact