[Avionics Today 12-02-2015] An Air New Zealand Boeing a 777-200ER aircraft has been approved for 330-minute Extended Operations (ETOPS). Air New Zealand Chief Flight Operations and Safety Officer Captain David Morgan says the 330-minute extended operations gives the airline more flexibility for direct services.
“We’re delighted to be the first airline globally to offer the longer ETOPS on our 777-200 aircraft for our Auckland-Buenos route," Morgan said.
The flight marks the culmination of stringent airplane configuration and operational requirements set by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Air New Zealand began 240-minute 777-200ER/Rolls-Royce Trent 800 ETOPS flights in October 2014, and flew long-range routes for approximately one year before being granted 330-minute ETOPS approval in November 2015. The 330-minute ETOPS authorization allows the carrier to operate its 777-200ER airplanes equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent 800 engines up to 330-minutes from airports — enabling more direct flights, lower fuel usage and less emissions, according to Boeing.