Diversion airport

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Diversion airports are suitable airports capable of handling a particular ETOPS rated aircraft during an emergency landing and whose flying distance at the point of emergency shall not exceed the ETOPS diversion period of that particular aircraft.

It is, therefore, important that any airports designated as an en route diversion airport have the capabilities, services and facilities to safely support that particular aircraft and that the weather conditions at the time of arrival provide a high assurance that safe landing is achievable with an engine and/or systems malfunctioning.

An ETOPS flight may only be approved by the ATC if the diversion airports are available throughout the length of the flight. Unavailability due to bad weather, for example, will be a reason for an inflight rerouting.

Some common diversion airports include: