PARIS (Reuters) - Europe's Airbus has won European safety approval that would allow its new A350 long-haul passenger jet to fly almost any commercial route, sources familiar with the matter said.
The European Aviation Safety Agency has officially granted the twin-engined jet Extended Operations, known as ETOPS, of "beyond 180 minutes", but will allow pilots to fly the A350 for up to 370 minutes in the event one engine shuts down.
ETOPS rules determine the maximum flying time that jets can be from the nearest airport at any point during their journey, in the event of engine failure.
In turn, they determine the routes that modern twin-engined jets can take over deserted areas and oceans and are therefore seen as crucial to the sales pitches for such aircraft.
The ETOPS rules are subject to separate clearances that must be sought by each airline.
EASA and AIRBUS (EAD.PA)declined to comment.
Boeing's 787 Dreamliner has clearance to operate for 330 minutes on one engine, but the difference between the two categories is widely viewed as a marketing one since both jets will have enough margin to operate on most commercial routes.
Reuters reported on Sept 30 that European regulators, having granted the main airworthiness or 'type certificate' approval for Airbus's new long-haul jet, were looking separately at granting it an ETOPS margin of 370 minutes.
It is the first time a wide-body jet has been granted such autonomy before entering service, but questions remain over whether and when the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration will issue similar flexibility for airlines under its jurisdiction.
The FAA said last week it would grant its own safety certification for the A350 by the end of October.
"We can?t speculate on what ETOPS rating the A350 may receive because we haven?t yet awarded the type certificate," a spokesman for the agency said later, asked about its stance towards extended operations for the jet.
The Airbus A350 is due to enter service by the end of the year.
(Reporting by Tim Hepher and Alwyn Scott; Editing by James Regan and David Clarke)
