Boeing 787

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved additional extended operations (ETOPS) for Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner, allowing the aircraft to fly a longer range of routes.

With the new approval, Dreamliners are now allowed to be operated up to 330 minutes or 5.5 hours away from a landing field.

Dreamliners were introduced into service in 2011, and have since been permitted to only operate up to 180 minutes or three hours away from a landing field.

The ETOPS will allow airline companies to launch additional routes after they meet the proof of capabilities requirements and receive permit from their concerned regulatory agencies for such operations.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes 787 programme vice-president and general manager Larry Loftis said that customers are looking to expand their 787 operations.

"Customers are looking to expand their 787 operations."

"We’re delighted that this capability, which was designed into the airplane from the very beginning, has been certified," Loftis said.

According to Boeing, the latest permit will make the 787 more efficient in operations, enabling more direct flight paths that can reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions.

The development comes only days after the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) urged the FAA to conduct new tests on Boeing 787 Dreamliner batteries, in response to two incidents last year.

Boeing has received orders for more than 1,030 787 aircraft from 60 customers to date, delivering 146 Dreamliners to 19 organisations.

Image: Boeing 787 Dreamliner at roll-out ceremony. Photo: courtesy of Yasuhiko Obara.

Defence Technology