The Federal Aviation Administration has published a final rule it says will reduce the risks for passengers and crews flying long-range, regularly scheduled commercial routes over remote areas.

The rule changes current limitations, opening routes for twin-engine passenger and cargo planes, and setting standards for commercial passenger planes flying routes more than three hours from an airport.

The new rule takes into account the extraordinary reliability of today's aircraft engines. It covers the design, maintenance and operation of airplanes and engines for extended operations flights - commonly called ETOPS - that go beyond certain distances from the nearest airport.

"Twenty-one years of ETOPS experience shows us that modern jet engines rarely shut down in flight," said FAA Administrator Marion C. Blakey. "Our new safety requirements for long-range flights are designed to prevent mechanical problems and protect passengers and the flightcrew in the rare event of an emergency diversion."

Since airplanes occasionally divert for reasons unrelated to the engines, such as mechanical problems or passenger medical emergencies, the rule requires that airplane systems be able to support lengthy diversions in remote and sometimes harsh environments. The rule also requires pro-active flight planning, crew training and plans to have facilities at or close to each diversion airport that will protect passengers and crew from the elements and make them comfortable.

The rule published today formalizes existing policy, industry best practices and international standards to ensure long-range flights operate safely in the Polar regions, the South Atlantic Ocean between South America and Africa, and the southeastern South Pacific Ocean. Few U.S. carriers currently operate in these areas, but these operations will likely increase in the future.

Information from the FAA.