Extended-Range Twin-Engine Operations (ETOPS)

A set of standards which allow an aircraft to fly to a greater distance away from the nearest airport, in particular during flights over sea. A full ETOPS flight may operate as far as 180 minutes flight time away from nearest land. ETOPS is a full set of standards, which encompass the aircraft design, specific additional aircraft maintenance tasks, special crew training and specific operating procedures within the airline. An operator must be approved by the aviation authority in order to fly under ETOPS.