For the A330, examples include new routes over South Atlantic Ocean, Mid- and South Pacific Ocean, and Mid-Indian Ocean. Operators flying on existing routes will benefit from the new regulation, since it will allow them to fly more directly and eco-efficiently. Some estimates show a fuel saving potential of up to 10 percent for some long range routes (with consequent reductions in CO2 emissions).    

The granting of this latest ETOPS extension, to around 1,700nm and 240 minutes, has been made possible in part due to the proven reliability and robust systems of the aircraft and its engines, as demonstrated over 14 million A330 flight hours and 3.5 million flights.  

ETOPS, is an International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) rule permitting two-engined commercial aircraft operators to fly routes that are up to a specified flying time from the nearest airport. Since 1995 all Airbus A330 models have been approved by EASA and FAA for ETOPS up to 180 minutes, and with this they have since accumulated more than five million ETOPS flight hours in more than 800,000 ETOPS flights.  

Today Airbus has won more than 1,000 orders for the A330 and more than 600 are in service worldwide with more than 80 customers and operators.  

The required standards for ETOPS "beyond 180 minutes" is included in the new Revision 20 of the ETOPS "Configuration, Maintenance, Procedure and dispatch standards" (CMP) document for ETOPS. The Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) supplement for ETOPS beyond 180 minutes is provided to the operators who have purchased the "beyond 180 minutes" ETOPS option.