
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has approved the new Airbus A350-900 airliner for ETOPS (Extended-range Twin engine aircraft Operations) beyond 180 minutes diversion time, including an option for up to 370 minute maximum diversion time.
This allows the twin engined A350 to fly up to 370 minutes from a nearest alternate landing field in case of an emergency, enabling more direct flight paths, saving fuel and reducing carbon emissions.
The approval prior to entry into service (EIS) demonstrates the high level maturity the new generation A350 airliner has achieved. FAA’s respective ETOPS certification is expected soon. Airbus says around 70 percent of A350 flight hours will be ETOPS.
ETOPS allow twin jets to fly long distance routes (especially over water, desert or remote polar areas) that were previously considered safe only for triple or four engined aircrafts.
The approval which includes ETOPS 180min in the basic specification also includes provisions for ‘ETOPS 300min’ and ‘ETOPS 370min’ depending on individual operator selection. The latter option extends the diversion distance up to an unprecedented 2,500nm – a distance which corresponds to a maximum ETOPS diversion time for the A350 of approximately 370 minutes, at one-engine-inoperative speed under standard atmospheric conditions.
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