Airbus A350 XWB

Airbus has received approval from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to fly its A350 XWB more than six hours using one engine should the other fail, allowing airlines to operate the aircraft on any route.

European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has allowed the aircraft for ETOPS (‘Extended-range Twin engine aircraft Operations’) ‘Beyond 180 minutes’ diversion time, allowing pilots to fly the aircraft up to 370 minute with a single engine.

With this approval, the A350 XWB becomes the first aircraft type that receives such a level of ETOPS approval before its entry into service (EIS).

Airbus is expecting that it would receive its ETOPS certification soon. Approval also gives provisions for ETOPS 300 minutes and ETOPS 370 minutes depending on individual operator selection.

The second option allows the extension of the diversion distance up to 2,500nm, which equal to ETOPS diversion time of approximately 370 minutes, in case one engine becomes inoperative. However, according to the ETOPS rules, each airline has to get separate clearances.

"This authorisation clears the aircraft for use in new direct, non-limiting routings."

The regulations of ETOPS decide the maximum flying time of the flight on one engine that allows it to fly from the nearest airport at necessary conditions.

This authorisation clears the aircraft for use in new direct, non-limiting routings.

The ETOPS 370 minute approval will allow airlines to operate the aircraft on direct southern routes such as between Australia, South Africa and South America. While the ETOPS 300 mininute approval will clear way for operation on transoceanic routes across the North and Mid-Pacific such as from South East Asia to US, and Australasia to the US.

The Airbus A350 is expected to enter service by the end of 2014.

A350 XWB is mid-size long range aircraft from Airbus’s widebody family and the company has received 750 orders for the aircraft as of September 2014.

Image: The Airbus A350 XWB. Photo: courtesy of RAMADIER Sylvain.