Boeing 747-8I win 330-minute ETOPS rating from FAA

Lufthansa 747-830 (37827/1443) D-ABYA arrives at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX/KLAX) on January 19, 2013.

(Photo by Michael Carter) 

FAA granted 330-minute extended operations (ETOPS) approval for the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental, marking the first time a four-engine commercial passenger aircraft has gained 330-minute ETOPS approval.

Boeing said 747-8I operators will now be able “to fly long-distances more directly on virtually any worldwide city pair routing.” The manufacturer noted that ETOPS has been a requirement for twin-engine aircraft since the 1980s, and FAA ETOPS regulations have recently been applied to four-engine passenger aircraft.

747 program VP and GM Bruce Dickinson said in a statement, “Flying long-distance routes directly helps our customers fly even more efficiently, saving fuel and emitting less carbon dioxide.”

According to Boeing, there are now 83 747-8s in service with 11 customers.

(Aaron Karp - ATWOnline News)