The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has certified three Norwegian (Oslo Gardermoen) B737-800s as ETOPS-180 compliant. An acronym for ExTended OPerationS, ETOPS-180 authorizes the specified twin-engine aircraft to fly routes that are within three hours of suitable airports.

The move will thereby allow the LCC to begin using the jets on its planned Cork-Boston transatlantic routes which it planned to launch this month but which have been deferred owing to delays in Norwegian Air International (Dublin International) securing its US Foreign Air Carriers Permit (FACP). It will also open up additional long, thin routes that the LCC has, as yet, been unable to serve.

Until now, Norwegian's fleet of 100 B737-800s have only been certified to ETOPS-120 standards.