The National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC) has published Resolution 565/2024, which approves modifications to the Argentine Civil Aviation Regulations (RAAC) to address findings identified during the audit conducted in April 2024 by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States, under the IASA (International Aviation Safety Assessment) program.

The amendments focus on three key sections of the RAAC related to Extended Diversion Time Operations (EDTO) and operations in the North Atlantic High-Level Airspace (NAT HLA):

1. Part 91 (Section 91.112): Introduces clarification on the approvals required for operations in the North Atlantic High-Level Airspace (NAT HLA), emphasizing their connection to the Minimum Navigation Performance Specifications (MNPS).
2. Part 121 (Section 121.162): Establishes that the aeronautical authority of the state of design is responsible for approving the design for EDTO operations under regular operations.
3. Part 135 (Appendix G, subsection c): Extends the same determination regarding EDTO operations to non-regular operations.

What are EDTO operations, and why are they important?

EDTO are operations that allow twin-engine or multi-engine aircraft to fly routes where the nearest alternate airport is farther than a defined time threshold. This is crucial for transoceanic flights or flights over remote areas, where airport access is limited. EDTO regulations ensure that aircraft are prepared to handle emergencies such as engine failures, guaranteeing that they can divert to a safe airport as quickly as possible.

For Argentina, adopting EDTO standards allows national airlines, such as Aerolíneas Argentinas, to operate more efficient and direct routes to Europe or Africa via the South Atlantic, reducing operational costs and emissions by optimizing routes.

NAT HLA: A key global standard

The North Atlantic High-Level Airspace (NAT HLA) is an airspace covering the North Atlantic between flight levels 285 and 420. It is one of the busiest air corridors in the world, where strict Performance-Based Navigation (PBN and PBCS) and communication standards, as well as data link systems like Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC), are applied.

Although Argentina does not operate in the North Atlantic, adopting these standards in the RAAC ensures that aircraft registered in the country are prepared to operate in any highly regulated airspace.

Implementation and next steps

The resolution also instructs the Aircraft Certification Department (DCA) to adjust the Type Certificates (TC) of Argentine aircraft operating under EDTO criteria. Additionally, the regulation will take effect the day after its publication in the Official Gazette, while the full texts and annexes will be published on ANAC’s website.