The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (www.easa.europe.eu) has approved the A330-900 for ETOPS (Extended-range Twin engine aircraft Operations) ‘beyond 180min’ diversion time.

This means that operators of the A330neo, which is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, will benefit from “the most efficient and direct long-range routings”.

The approval also includes the option for ‘ETOPS 285min’, extending the potential diversion distance to around 2,000 nautical miles.

The US FAA’s respective ETOPS certification is expected soon.

A330neo operators that choose the ETOPS 285min option will be able to serve new direct ‘non-limiting’ routings.

Meanwhile, operators flying on existing routes (currently flown with up to 180min diversion time) will be able to
use straighter, quicker and more-fuel-efficient paths — and have access to more ‘en-route diversion airports’.

Airbus says the granting of this ETOPS capability is a testimony to the aircraft’s design and systems maturity, which has been shown to be as good as its predecessor — the A330-200/A330-300 family, which has been proven “over many millions of flights”.