Santa gets sleigh-flying permission in Norway

OSLO, Norway, Dec. 24 (UPI) -- The Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority said Santa's sleigh has been given clearance to fly and land in the country.

Officials said Santa was given a flying certificate for his sleigh, dubbed Santa One, Dec. 18, giving the magical vehicle permission to land Dec. 23-25 anywhere in Norway where Christmas wish lists have been written, TheLocal.no reported Tuesday.

"This means that Santa has all his flight operation approvals in order and that his flight will take place in a regulated manner," said Stein Erik Nodeland, Norway's director general of civil aviation.

The certificate says officials carried out an "assessment of the sleigh's technical specifications."

"In light of the documentation received the sleigh is deemed to be airworthy in Norwegian airspace," the certificate states.

Nodeland said this year marks the first time Santa has applied for permission to fly his reindeer-powered sleigh in the country.

"If you fly like Santa Claus does in Norwegian airspace, you must abide by our regulations and have a permit," Nodeland said. "He has previously flown without permission, but this year he has done everything right."