What happens if a plane flies from its "normal" country to a foreign country, and then there is a problem?

Question

I mean, let's assume British Airways flies from London to Phoenix with a B777. Arrived at Phoenix, they detect a fault, and without fixing the problem, it would be unsafe to fly back to London. So, what is being done. BA will not have any maintenance at Phoenix, and even if there are some maintenance crews from, like US Airways, they will not have B777 maintenance crews.....

It must be even trickier when a carrier flies to a small airport somewhere in the Caribbean, where really no maintenance crews are based?!

Answer 1

If a B.A. 777 needed service in Phoenix there are facilities for repair at that airport that could take care of the problem.  The airline would not have to send their own maintenance people to Phoenix.  There are independent aircraft maintenance companies all over the world and arrangements for the repair would be arranged with one of them or with the maintenance shop of one of the other airlines at that airport.  

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Boeing the manufacturer closely follows the everyday activity of every airliner they've ever sold that is still in service and would be ready 24-7 to coordinate the repair and make sure the plane is back in service as soon as possible.

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Answer 2

The aircarrier will usually have contract maintence with a maintence facility in large airports that handle any mx problems that arise..

Depending on the prpblem, many items can be deferred for a certain amount of time becasue of the rendunency built into aircraft , as long it is not require equipment listed in the MEL (min equipment list).

For airports without a mx faclity, they will either have a mechinac fly to the island with the parts to fix it..

My work charters a/c to fly mechinacs and parts all over the US to fix Aircraft.

Parts are another story, airlines use parts databases to track/sell/buy parts for their aircraft all over, so for your example, the parts may not have to be flown from the UK to fix an aircraft, but rather come out of parts distrbitor in AZ.

Answer 3

Usually the host airport if they have a knowledgeable man on that particular aircraft with a nod approval of course from BA London, will fix the trouble and if parts needed and the host airport has the parts they will lend it (loan basis). This understanding is mutual to all airlines or if United flies to Phoenix then their services will be contracted since United flies to London. Their agreement usually is vice-versa.

In the case of no big carriers on a particular airport (such as the Caribbean the airline carries a flight mechanic. That is my job  before accompanying A340, A330, A300 and B737 to Vancouver, Sydney, Melbourne Middle East and Asia.

Answer 4

well then the plane would be grounded, a replacement plane would be flown in and the aircraft that needs fixing will have crews sent out.

The passengers who would want to go to London would either get put through other airlines or wait for the replacement aircraft.

Answer 5

Most airlines when they fly to any destination have either their own maintenance personnel or they contract with someone to provide maintenance for them. The contract mechanics can speak by phone to the carriers maintenance people to get the assistance and help they need to repair the plane. Parts can be either bought from another carrier or can be flown in.

It happens a lot and is not a major problem.