Originally Posted by
airsouthwest
It's only temporary, Flybe have signed a contract with Medavia in Malta so all their aircraft will fly out there for maintenance. I don't understand why they've chosen them (although they are known to be very good) as Exeter makes a more logical choice, especially for emergency diverts aka 2019 left aileron cable snapping.
It will all come down to cost and availability. This is probably an area where the clean slate idea rings true, go where you can get the best value MX. Medavia are well regarded and part owned by Air Nostrum (or the group that owns them). Exeter may also not have the capacity, its always incredibly busy there, more so than before.
Re the emergency divert, if flybe won't be flying to Exeter diverting might no be so easy, no ground handling contract, no assistance etc. Reality is most stuff can and does get fixed on the line. Not many airlines had or have the luxury of a true in-house 145 and large hangar facility. Plus im sure the crew would rather position to Malta than Exeter!!