Traffic rights
The following general overview is for information purposes only, and further restrictions may apply. The information pertains to both scheduled and non-scheduled flights in Norwegian airspace.
Chicago Convention
Norway is a signatory state to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, also known as the Chicago Convention. This means that passenger/cargo aircraft with standard airworthiness certificates of other signatory states have the right to make ad hoc flights across Norway's territories and to make technical stops without obtaining prior permission.
European Union/European Economic Area
Norway is not a member of the European Union (EU), however, mainland Norway is part of the European Economic Area (EEA) and thus part of the internal market for air services. This means that any airline licensed by an EU/EEA country, and therefore adhering to common regulations, is entitled to operate any passenger/cargo route within the EU/EEA without the prior permission of CAA Norway (certain restrictions on public service obligations apply).
Furthermore, Norway is a signatory state to the Multilateral Agreement on Commercial Rights of Non-Scheduled Air Services in Europe signed in Paris on 30 April 1956.
Non-commercial recreational flights
For non-commercial recreational flights into or over Norwegian territory with aircraft registered in a State party to the Chicago Convention, and that holds a standard airworthiness certificate, no prior permission is required.
For non-commercial recreational flights with aircraft holding non-standard airworthiness certificates (Micro/Ultralight aircraft e.g.), a traffic permission is required.
The first landing in and last departure from Norway shall take place at an international airport, unless exemption from this rule has been granted by the authorities concerned (customs and immigration), ref. AIP Norway, GEN 1.2-1, para 1.3.
For more information, please see our VFR-guide.
Commercial flights
Community air carriers that are licensed in accordance with Council Regulation (EEC) No. 1008/2008 on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community, can operate to/from Norwegian airports without prior permission from CAA Norway (certain restrictions on public service obligations apply).
Non-community air carriers, and flights not covered by Council Regulation (EEC) No. 1008/2008, must apply for traffic rights.
The first landing in and last departure from Norway shall take place at an international airport, unless exemption from this requirement has been granted by the authorities concerned (customs and immigration), ref. AIP Norway, GEN 1.2-1, para 1.3.
Operations in Norwegian airspace must be carried out in accordance with applicable flight regulations as stipulated in AIP Norway and other relevant published material. Please note the special requirements for aircraft operators performing commercial transportation into certain Norwegian airports as described in AIP (applicable airport) 2.23.
For commercial passenger flights with a/c of max 10 seats/cargo flights with max takeoff weight 5700 kg (so called “taxi flights”) a traffic permission is not required.
The transportation of munitions of war and/or foreign troops requires prior permission.