Embraer 190 Jet Receives 120-Minute ETOPS Approval
Aircraft is the first in the world to meet the new FAA certification requirements
(Sao Jose dos Campos, April 29, 2008) -- The EMBRAER 190 jet received ETOPS (Extended Operations) certification for 120 minutes, this month, from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This third member of the E-Jets family, seating up to 114 passengers, had already obtained the same certification from Brazil's National Civil Aviation Agency (Agencia Nacional da Aviacao Civil - ANAC), in February of this year.
The ETOPS 120 rating enables the EMBRAER 190 to fly routes that have a diversion airport up to 120 minutes from the flight path. Therefore, the jet can fly long distances over oceans, deserts and other inhospitable areas, thus increasing its operational capability, everywhere in the world, especially in Southeast Asia and Oceania. This new EMBRAER 190 feature is already available on regular Air Niugini flights connecting Papua New Guinea and Australia.
In March 2007, the EMBRAER 190 obtained its first ETOPS certification, for 75 minutes. This new approval is not merely an extension of the limit existing prior to the 120 minutes, but it also involves meeting a series of more demanding requirements. The Embraer jet is the first in the world to comply with the new rules established by Appendix K, Part 25, of the FAA's regulations, showing the high quality and extensive operational capacity of the EMBRAER 190.
"We are very proud of receiving this further certification, because of its complexity and the significant contribution it makes to increasing the reliability and flexibility of the E-Jets," said Antonio Campello, Embraer Vice President, Programs - Airline Market. "ETOPS 120 minutes will help us to expand the competitive positioning of the E-Jets in such important regions as Southeast Asia and Oceania, where we offer our customers a product that provides a variety of marketplaces with comfort, efficiency, economy, and the highest quality available on the market."
Source : Embraer