The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced significant updates to flight planning requirements for extended operations (ETOPS) that will take effect March 1, 2025. These changes directly impact how airline dispatchers plan and monitor long-range flights over water and remote areas.
The new regulations introduce enhanced weather monitoring requirements, updated alternate airport selection criteria, and revised fuel planning calculations for ETOPS flights. According to the FAA, these changes are designed to improve safety margins while maintaining operational efficiency for airlines operating twin-engine aircraft on extended routes.
Key Changes for Dispatchers
The updated requirements include several important changes that dispatchers must incorporate into their flight planning procedures:
- Enhanced Weather Analysis: Dispatchers must now evaluate weather conditions at ETOPS alternate airports using new criteria that consider forecast uncertainty and historical reliability data.
- Fuel Planning Adjustments: New calculations require additional contingency fuel for flights exceeding 180-minute ETOPS authority, with specific provisions for seasonal weather patterns.
- Communication Requirements: Updated protocols for dispatcher-pilot communication during ETOPS segments, including mandatory position reports at specified waypoints.
- System Monitoring: Enhanced requirements for real-time monitoring of aircraft systems and performance data throughout ETOPS segments.
“These updates reflect lessons learned from thousands of ETOPS flights and advances in weather forecasting technology,” said Sarah Johnson, ADF Vice President of Regulatory Affairs. “While they add complexity to the planning process, they ultimately enhance the safety of extended operations.”
Implementation Timeline
Airlines and dispatchers have until March 1, 2025, to implement the new procedures. The FAA has scheduled several industry briefings and will provide updated guidance materials through the Flight Standards Information Management System (FSIMS).
ADF is developing training resources to help dispatchers understand and implement these changes. Members can access preliminary guidance documents in the member portal, with comprehensive training modules scheduled for release in February 2025.
For more information about the ETOPS updates and their impact on dispatch operations, contact ADF regulatory affairs at regulatory@dispatcher.org.