Embraer has received approval for 120-minute extended twin-engine operations (ETOPS) for its E190-E2 and E195-E2 planes from Brazil's Civil Aviation Authority ANAC, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This certification allows E2 operators to fly non-limiting routes over remote areas and water, resulting in significant time and fuel savings.
The certification of ETOPS-120 capability is a testament to the aircraft's design and system maturity. ETOPS certification mandates that the operational fleet of aircraft achieves cumulative flying hour milestones. Due to the global pandemic, the E2's ETOPS certification was delayed, as the reduced aircraft operations led to a slower accumulation of flying hours required.
Arjan Meijer, President and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation, said, “ETOPS is an important additional capability for the E2, and a key enabler for more sales, especially in Asia Pacific. Airlines flying routes with up to 120 minute diversion time will be able to use straighter, quicker and more fuel-efficient routes, and have access to more diversion airports. ETOPS capability is a further optimisation of the E2, already the most fuel-efficient aircraft in its segment.”
Extended-range Twin-engine Operations Performance Standards (ETOPS) - flight rules for one-engine-inoperative flight conditions. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) coined the acronym for twin-engine aircraft operation in airspace further than one hour from a diversion airport at the one-engine-inoperative cruise speed, over water or remote lands, or on routes previously restricted to three- and four-engine aircraft.
