,
it is an additional economic utility.
Try telling that to the bean counters
phiggsbroadband, to the bean counters spares on the shelf are a waste of capital and space, particularly if the space is leased. Only bean counters could calculate an 'Allowable time AOG' awaiting spares. According to the BC the money is better off in the bank earning interest than sitting on shelves in the form of spares, even if it does mean the a/c is grounded for a day or two. The engine may be part of a 'power by the hour' agreement anyway in which case SQ will simply want shot of it and a replacement ASAP.
It may turn out to be an interesting insurance claim though, it will hinge on weather the offending baggage container is legally classified as F.O.D. or not. Difficult to call it F.O.D. when it is simply misplaced on the tarmac but still a part of the necessary equipment for the ground handling of that aircraft. Unless the insurance industry has pre written agreements on such incidents, (this won't be the first!), then I see two sets of underwriters possibly going head to head there.