Avinor and the Civil Aviation Authority of Norway are inviting industry proposals to test regional and VTOL aircraft under Norway’s International Test Arena.
Avinor and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Norway have launched two new calls for proposals under the International Test Arena for zero- and low-emission aviation. The calls target regional aircraft and novel piloted VTOL aircraft, inviting manufacturers, operators and industry partners to bring new technologies and operational concepts to Norway.
The calls build on experience gained through the Test Arena so far. The first demonstration project, with Bristow Norway and BETA Technologies, was completed in 2025. A second project with Bristow Norway and Electra is under way, with flight demonstrations of Electra’s hybrid-electric ultra-short take-off and landing aircraft planned for the third quarter of 2027.
Regional aircraft and VTOL calls
The first call targets zero- and low-emission regional aircraft with nine or more passenger seats, including battery-electric, hydrogen and hybrid concepts. It focuses on aircraft relevant to regional flights of less than 1,000 kilometres.
Selected projects will initially enter the Virtual Test Arena, a pre-project phase exploring operational concepts, infrastructure requirements, regulation and business cases. Projects that reach sufficient maturity may later proceed to testing and demonstration in the Physical Test Arena.
The second call targets novel zero- and low-emission piloted VTOL aircraft for passenger and cargo operations. It is aimed primarily at more mature aircraft concepts that can be demonstrated in an airport and airspace environment, with demonstrations expected in 2027 or by 2028 at the latest.
Erik By, Head of International Test Arena at Avinor, said: “These new calls will help us understand what different aircraft and operating concepts require from airports, airspace, energy infrastructure and regulation, and prepare for future commercial operations.”
The International Test Arena was established jointly by Avinor and the CAA and brings together airports, airspace, energy infrastructure and regulatory facilitation in one coordinated process. Avinor facilitates access to relevant infrastructure and airspace services, while the CAA provides regulatory guidance and can establish a regulatory sandbox tailored to individual projects. Locations are selected based on the needs of each project.
Jan Petter Steinland, Strategic Analysis and Transformation Manager at CAA Norway, said the CAA wants to work with industry to achieve more efficient and safe integration of new technologies in a well-prepared environment, and described the calls as “a strong opportunity for OEMs, airlines, regulators and other aviation stakeholders to take the next important steps toward zero- and low-emission aviation”.
Proposals are open to aircraft manufacturers, developers, airlines, operators and industry consortia. The deadline for submissions is 30 November 2026 at 16:00 CET.
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