Notice of Proposed Amendment 2023-03-Extended diversion time operations (EDTO)

Edto and etops might seems similar but have different meanings. Extended Diversion Time Operation applies to all multi engines airplanes indipendently from the number of engines, the concept was introduced by ICAO few years back. This SARP requires the state to evaluate the need for an approval for 3-4 engine aircrafts operations on certain routes, which, by manufacturer default, are generally allowed up to 180 min without the need of any approval,and as such should also be for Edto, without too much hassle.

Hi André, to what I know, EDTO is only mentionned in ICAO. (Doc 10085 refers). I also couldn't find any EU commission decision of the related NPA. If anyone knows, please share with us. Thanks in advance.

Don’t forget that the next limit in EDTO is not the engine relatability, but the fire and smoke fighting capacity of any aircraft, especially the cargo type.

Thank you for your comment Luca. Including consideration of these Time-Limited Systems in our flight planning tool will have the most impact.🙂

This is a very relevant point, especially for aircraft operators like the B747F. Including more-than-two-engined airplanes under the EDTO framework does mark a shift in regulatory approach, aiming to harmonize safety standards across all long-range operations. I’ve also reviewed the NPA and noticed the same but like you, I haven’t seen a final decision or adoption by the Commission yet. It would be great to hear if anyone has updates on the regulatory timeline or any recent communications from EASA on this matter. The operational planning implications are significant, so clarity would be really helpful.

Hi André, the content of the proposed amendments regarding EDTO published in NPA 2023-03 has not yet been included in an EASA Opinion and has not been published as a Commission regulation yet. EASA plans to publish an Opinion containing proposed EDTO amendments still this year.

Thank you, Adina !

Hi all - I got a further update from the Air Ops Team here about the opinion that Adina referred to.

The transposition of the EDTO standards of ICAO annex 6 part I is being processed within the scope of the rulemaking task RMT.0392. An NPA was published in May 2023 and went under a 3 months public consultation. The Agency is currently preparing the Opinion containing the related proposed amendments to Regulation (EU) 965/2012 to the Commission for their adoption.

Among the foreseen amendments, the aeroplanes with more than 2 engines are indeed expected to be included in the scope of EDTO in accordance with the ICAO related SARPs. A transition period is foreseen once the regulation is adopted in order to allow operators and competent authorities to adapt their procedures/training programmes to the planned changes.

The Opinion is expected to be published in Q4 2025.