An updated local news article discusses some of the pax and logistics issues:
Flight 40 passenger Judith Conrady, writing about her experience for the German online news site RP, described how the pilot said, “I am sorry to wake you up. We are about halfway between Zurich and Los Angeles. We have to land at the nearest airport. Because of a technical problem. The nearest airport, Iqaluit, is located in the top north of Canada.”
When the aircraft landed in Iqaluit, everyone applauded, Conrady said. The thought of getting off the aircraft was tempting, she said, but then the temperature dropped and darkness fell.
The passengers were remarkably quiet, she said, and some were even in a good mood despite the inconvenience: “This is probably due to the fact that the situation was so absurd that one could not help but accept it.”
The switch to the second aircraft sent to take the passengers on was complex, as Conrady described it: after the plane’s arrival at about 2 a.m. Feb. 2, two aircraft stairs had to be set up so they could head down into five heated school buses. Then the stairs—and the buses—were pulled up to the new aircraft, which took them on to their way to JFK International Airport in New York City.
“I would have liked Iqaluit. Surely it is the city that made the most impression on me without ever having entered it,” Conrady said.
A shortage of customs agents onsite has been suggested as a reason for why those on board were unable to tour the city.
Meanwhile, Frobisher Bay Touchdown Services, which takes care of contracted ground handling in Iqaluit, scrambled to provide services to Swiss International— and to take care of puppies in the hold. They left a message for the owners: “we kept your fur babies warm, watered and fed, we went for a quick walk bathroom break as well,” assuring them that their animals had been in good hands.
Here's an estimate for the repair time in the article:
The Swiss International jet is likely to remain in Iqaluit for several weeks as a team carries out the repairs.
Fuhlrott said she couldn’t confirm how many people would be involved in the repairs or how long the repairs would require, due to the “adverse conditions.”
There is no hangar to protect workers, so unless a tent is put up, all work on the aircraft will be done outside, in some of the coldest weather Iqaluit sees all year.
Pictures and video of the Ant and the new engine in the article:
NunatsiaqOnline 2017-02-04: NEWS: Huge Antonov aircraft flies engine to Nunavut for stranded Swiss jet