The Civil Aviation Authority – Norway (CAA-N) headquarters are located in Bodø. As of 1st of February 2010 there are approximately 170 highly qualified staff members covering every aspect of civil aviation. The Civil Aviation Authority is an autonomous and independent government Authority organizationally placed under the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

The Director General of Civil Aviation is Mr. Hein Richardsen. He was appointed on 15th of May 2006.

The Civil Aviation Authority is responsible for adapting and implementing international regulations. In addition, CAA-N generates national civil aviation regulations.

In the decade spanning the existence of the Civil Aviation Authority, national regulations have gradually been replaced by EU regulations. Hence, Norwegian aviation is to an increasing extent conforming and adhering to a common European regulatory framework.

The Civil Aviation Authority is also charged with the responsibility of overseeing that civil aviation organizations comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations. To this end, CAA-N carries out oversight activities aimed at air carriers, maintenance facilities, aviation training organizations, aircraft, certificate holders, airports and aerodromes.

CAA-N also issues certificates to personnel and organizations such as air carriers, maintenance facilities, pilots and cabin crew.

The Ministry of Transport and Communications and the Civil Aviation Authority participate in conferences, meetings and assemblies hosted by international organizations in order to promote and protect Norwegian national interests. The European Aviation Safety Agency and the UN specialized agency for civil aviation, the International Civil Aviation organization, are two such organizations.