Boeing to Offer up to 330-Minute ETOPS on 777

Boeing (Chicago) has announced it has received type-design approval from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for up to 330-minute extended operations (ETOPS) for its 777 fleet.

The authorization allows 777 customers who purchase or already operate 777-300 ER (extended range), 777-200 LR (longer range), 777 Freighter and 777-200 ER (extended range) models equipped with General Electric engines to fly up to 330 minutes from an alternate airport. FAA approval for the 777-200 ER equipped with Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney engines is expected to follow over the next few months.

The first airline to purchase the new longer ETOPS option is Air New Zealand (the next ANZ 777-300 will be painted in an All Black special livery). Air New Zealand completed the first 240 ETOPS flight earlier this month from Los Angeles to Auckland , N.Z.

The new FAA approval allows airlines that operate routes in the south Pacific, over the North Pole, and from Australia to South America and southern Africa to fly the most direct routes.

An increasing number of operators already are providing ETOPS service to their passengers. For example, 93 percent of 777, 50 percent of 767 and 33 percent of 757 operators fly ETOPS routes. Two-engine ETOPS routes are more than 60 minutes from an alternate airport.
The 777 fleet has flown more than 2 million ETOPS flights since its debut in June 1995 . Fifty-three 777 operators fly more than 22,000 ETOPS flights per month.

Copyright Photo: Colin Hunter.

Air New Zealand Slide Show: CLICK HERE