What goes around, comes around

I offer my congratulations to Airbus for achieving EASA approval for the full A330 family to fly 240 minute ETOPS. I know, from my days in that company, that it has been a long and arduous road for those involved. The Airbus press release (available on their website) curiously suggests that this is the first aircraft approval for 'beyond 180 minutes'. Actually, this is not the case. The Boeing 777 has enjoyed limited 207 minute operation for over ten years, and 240 minutes has also been available on specific routes, subject to very special conditions. Airbus also refers to International Civil Aviation Organisation 'rules'. Again, not so. ICAO issues recommendations, not rules.

This should not take the gloss of the achievement. But It was not always like that. I well remember being shouted at by an angry John Leahy, Airbus's petulant chief salesman. I had suggested to John that applying for 180 minutes ETOPS for the A330 would be a good strategy. "We don't want it!" he yelled at me. At the time, Leahy went on record as saying that the FAA's 240 minute proposals were a serious mistake.

Well, he's singing a very different tune now. But somehow I doubt whether he will ever tame his notorious short fuse.