Story ID: 826_Elit’Avia.com
Elit’Avia Announces EROPS Approval At EBACE 2014
By: James Wynbrandt
Caption: Slovenian operator can extend over-water range to an alternate airport to three hours, allowing more flexibility and direct routing.
Word Count: 278

Slovenia-based charter management company Elit’Avia (Booth 5134) announced on the eve of EBACE 2014 that it had received approval from the Slovenian Civil Aviation Agency for extended range operations (EROPS) for its Bombardier Global 6000 and Challenger 605. EROPS approval allows aircraft to fly flight paths that provide three-hour access over water using one engine to a suitable alternate airport. 
  
Under standard extended range twin operations (ETOPS) regulations governing charter and airline operations, aircraft must remain within a 180-minute (two-hour) range over water of an alternate airport. Elit’Avia’s clients will directly benefit from the more direct routing, reduced flying times, lower charter fees and greater mission flexibility the EROPS approval provides, according to the company. As an example, a Challenger 605 flight from Luanda, Angola to Rio de Janeiro would take more than 10.5 hours and require a fuel stop under ETOPS rules, but only nine hours non-stop under EROPS. 
  
“We are now part of an exclusive club of operators worldwide with 10 EROPS-approved aircraft in our fleet and the only European company operating EROPS-approved Challenger 605s,” said Michel Coulomb, Elit’Avia president and CEO.
  
Coulomb also noted that earlier this month Elit’Avia received an air operator certificate from Transport Malta, the national aviation authority of the European Union island nation, and the company has inducted three aircraft under the certificate: a Bombardier Global XRS and Challenger 605 and a Dassault Falcon 7X. “By adding the Maltese [approval] to our portfolio, we are well positioned to support increased activity levels without compromising our commitment to service,” said Coulomb. He said by year’s end Elit’Avia expects to have 20 aircraft under management.