Flygdirektion

Flygdirektion is a term used in some Scandinavian languages to denote a national or regional government agency responsible for civil aviation. In English, it translates roughly to Aviation Directorate and is commonly employed to refer to an organization charged with regulating and overseeing the aviation sector. The core mandate typically includes ensuring flight safety, maintaining safe and efficient airspace, and fostering responsible development of aviation. The agency may operate under a ministry of transport or infrastructure and works in alignment with international standards set by bodies such as ICAO, as well as European and bilateral agreements.

Duties commonly include licensing and certification of aircraft, pilots, and maintenance organizations; registration and airworthiness of aircraft; certification of airports and air navigation service providers; oversight of airlines and ground-handling services; safety investigations into accidents and incidents; rulemaking and regulatory enforcement; and oversight of emerging areas such as drone operations and urban air mobility. The flygdirektion also collects statistics, conducts inspections and audits, and publishes safety data and regulatory updates.

Organizationally it is typically headed by a director or director-general and divided into divisions such as regulatory affairs, air safety, airworthiness and certification, air traffic management, incident investigation, international affairs, and legal. The exact structure varies by country, and in some states the functions have been merged into a broader transport authority or reorganized over time.