For the market
Test and demonstrate the aviation of the future with zero emissions in a real operational environment. Norway as an international test arena gives stakeholders a single point of entry to infrastructure, airspace, energy, and regulatory facilitation – as well as guidance on relevant financing and support schemes from idea to full-scale test flights.
What is Norway as an international test arena?
Norway as an international test arena was established by Avinor and the Civil Aviation Authority of Norway to enable safe and efficient testing of zero- and low-emission aircraft in a real operational aviation system.
Through the test arena, a structured process is offered from concept and planning to test and demonstration flights, with access to the necessary infrastructure, airspace, energy, and regulatory facilitation.
The test arena serves as a single entry point to operational testing in Norway, and supports among other things:
- project dialogue and maturity assessment
- identification of a suitable location and operational setup
- coordination between airport, operator, and authorities
- facilitation for test and demonstration flights within the current safety framework
Infrastructure and operational execution
Avinor makes Norway’s extensive network of 43 airports available as a test arena – from major hubs to regional and Arctic airports. This provides a unique opportunity to test technology under different climatic and operational conditions.
Support may include, among other things:
- runway and apron capacity
- operational support and airport procedures
- charging and ground energy infrastructure
- integration into existing airport operations and emergency response systems
In principle, the test arena covers all Norwegian airspace and the airport network. Specific test locations are determined in dialogue with the market, based on technological maturity, energy requirements, operational complexity, and safety assessments.
Energy and future energy carriers
The test arena facilitates testing of new energy solutions in aviation, including:
- high-power electric charging
- preparations for hydrogen infrastructure
- solutions for energy distribution and safe handling
Norway also has very good access to renewable power, providing a solid foundation for testing and developing zero-emission air mobility in practice.
Regulatory facilitation and sandbox
The Civil Aviation Authority contributes regulatory support and the development of frameworks that make it possible to test new concepts within a safe and controlled regime.
This includes, among other things:
- dialogue on the application of EASA regulations for new categories of aircraft
- regulatory learning and methodology development
- establishment of sandbox environments for innovation and demonstration
- support for stakeholders who wish to validate concepts before commercial rollout
Who is the test arena relevant for?
Test Arena is relevant for national and international actors that develop and demonstrate new aviation technology, including in:
- battery-electric aircraft
- hydrogen and hybrid propulsion systems
- regional air mobility and new operational concepts
- energy systems, charging equipment, and ground support
- integration of new technology into existing airspace and airport operations
Location and scalability
The test arena essentially covers all of Norwegian airspace and the airport network. Specific test locations are determined in dialogue with the market, based on:
- technological maturity
- energy needs and availability
- operational complexity
- safety and preparedness considerations
Norway as an international test arena provides an operational, regulatory, and infrastructure framework for actors who want to test and demonstrate the zero-emission air mobility of the future at full scale.
Current projects and dialogue with the market
Contract negotiations are currently underway with new project actors. At the same time, it is possible to get in touch for informal dialogue about project ideas, needs, and possible pilot runs in Norway — also outside specific calls for proposals.
Financing and support schemes
Test arena provides guidance on relevant financing and support schemes for actors who want to develop or adopt new technology in aviation.
The Civil Aviation Authority contributes up-to-date knowledge about available instruments and can help actors navigate the support system nationally and internationally. This may include:
- loans, grants, and guarantees
- competence and development measures
- support for research, establishment, growth, exports, and green transition
The guidance function is intended to contribute to closer interaction between industry, research environments, and the support system, while also ensuring that knowledge from the test arena is used in further technology development.
Contact
Do you have questions or would like to discuss testing in Norway?
- Test arena:
- The Civil Aviation Authority (funding and instruments):