Mr Snow,
Apples and pairs. When the Voyagers are as old as the Tristars currently are, i.e. in more than 30 years time, what will their dispatch rate be then? Probably considerably less than 98%!!
Also, how many locations around the world can currently supply tech support and spares for a Tristar or VC-10??
The question was, what were the costs incurred in a 48 hour delay of a Voyager, which appeared to be avoidable if help was sourced locally, and, perhaps more importantly, how robust are the arrangements for obtaining spares and support around the world for what is essentially a civil aircraft in widespread commercial use.
I have no doubts that everyone who operates and supports these aircraft are doing their best, as indeed did/do VC-10 and Tristar personnel before then. However, they can only work within the constraints of the system that has been set up for them - does this include access to spares and support from commercial third parties around the world, or are they always required to go down the "self help" route?