Replacing tech aircraft
 

Hi

First post on pprune.

Im currently researching the methods in which airlines replace aircraft at short notice.
From my own past experience within the airline game we would deal with this situation by emailing a list of airlines then make a choice from various quotes/suitable aircraft available on the day.
Do large airlines use brokers? or is this still the best method of seeking a replacement aircraft.

Thanks

Tony

Most of the usual sub-charter candidates in Europe (Euroatlantic, Titan etc) usually send out a Telex/email overnight stating what aircraft are available with what crew and at what notice.

A mixture of both - large airlines tend to use brokers at the start of a requirement to establish best availability and prices, later on they strike up direct relationships with their preferred suppliers, but use brokers when these guys can not satisfy demand. There is of course a quid pro quo where they market their own excess capacity through the broker.

Do none of your outfits keep a spare floating around?

Subject to the severity of the tech delay, we used to move aircraft up the line to cover it then delay the next aircraft's movement. Less of an impact of the punters but was always subject to commercial and engineering input and approval.

Example being an inbound at say 0800 planned for a 1000 departure gets put onto the 0700 delayed flight. When (if) the tech frame comes good, assign it to the 1000 departure.

Spare airframes just sitting around is costly for an airline.

Dan's used to call that PANFIU.
Planned Aircraft Not available First Inbound Used. Delay report used to be full of them in Comet times.