ETOPS certification delays B777X entry into service

Dhaka: Boeing's 777X is now expected to enter commercial service in 2027 as the aircraft continues undergoing Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards (ETOPS) certification, a key requirement for long-haul operations.

Although much of the flight-test program is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said, ETOPS testing will continue into 2027 and remains the final major hurdle before certification.

The 777X, launched in 2013 as the successor to the 777-300ER, was originally scheduled to enter service in 2020. However, increased regulatory scrutiny following the 737 MAX crisis, along with development and certification challenges, have significantly extended the timeline.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford recently indicated that certification of the 777X will follow the 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10 programs, pushing approval into next year.

The delay continues to impact airline customers, including Lufthansa, Emirates, and Qatar Airways, which have adjusted fleet plans and extended the service lives of older aircraft while awaiting deliveries.

ETOPS certification is critical for the 777X as it will determine the aircraft's ability to operate long-haul routes across oceans and remote regions, forming the foundation of its commercial mission.