ANAC is responsible for regulating and overseeing civil aviation activities, aeronautics and aerodromes infrastructure.

[2] In practical terms, much of what is now ANAC, especially in the cities of Rio de Janeiro and São José dos Campos, was formed from several organisms belonging to the Aeronautics Command: the Department of Civil Aviation (DAC) and its Services (SERAC), the Institute of Sciences of the Physical Activity of the Aeronautics (ICAF), the Institute of Civil Aviation (IAC) and the division of Civil Aviation Certification of the Institute of Development and Industrial Coordination.

Linked to the Board of Executive Officers there are advisors and superintendencies that regulate activities essential to the operation of the agency.

In terms of physical structure, ANAC has several buildings spread throughout Brazil, mainly its headquarters in Brasília - DF, and the four regional units: Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Porto Alegre and Recife.

It also has a unit in São José dos Campos, a training center at Jacarepaguá Airport and a civil aviation office in Curitiba.

[9][10][11] In 2017, ANAC authorized the airlines to charge for the transportation of passengers' luggage under the promise that such a measure would reduce ticket prices.

However, in the period immediately following the release of the charge, between June and September 2017, prices were increased by 35.9%, according to FGV data.