Aircraft
FAA Approves A350-900 for ‘Beyond 180 Minutes’ ETOPS
Certification includes provisions for up to 300-minutes diversion time
Cathay Pacific's first A350-900 entered service on June 1. (Photo: Airbus)
Cathay Pacific's first A350-900 entered service on June 1. (Photo: Airbus)

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved the Airbus A350-900 for ETOPS (Extended-range Twin engine aircraft Operations) “beyond 180 minutes” diversion time. This aircraft has now received the approval from both the FAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The approval will allow airlines operating under FAA rules to serve new direct non-limiting routings beyond the standard 180-minute diversion time when they start to take delivery of their A350s in 2017.