The speed of AOG parts delivery depends on several interconnected factors, but the aviation industry has developed remarkably fast logistics networks specifically designed for these emergencies. Understanding these timelines helps explain why AOG logistics is such a specialized and expensive service.

The fastest delivery method is called Next Flight Out (NFO), which can get smaller parts to their destination within 4 to 12 hours. This works by placing the needed parts on the next available commercial passenger flight heading to the right city. Imagine needing a car part urgently and being able to put it on the next passenger plane flying to your location – that’s essentially how NFO works.

For even more critical situations, On Board Courier (OBC) services can deliver parts within 6 to 24 hours. This involves a professional courier who personally carries the parts as their luggage on commercial flights, ensuring the parts never leave human custody and can be delivered directly to the aircraft maintenance team upon arrival.

Within Europe, emergency road transport can sometimes be faster than air transport for shorter distances. A specialized courier driving overnight from, say, Amsterdam to Frankfurt might deliver parts in 6-8 hours, avoiding the complexities of airport cargo handling and customs procedures. However, this depends heavily on distance, traffic conditions, and border crossing procedures.

Real-world example: If a Lufthansa aircraft in Munich needs a specific electronic component that’s available in Frankfurt, an NFO service might have it delivered within 4-6 hours using the frequent commercial flights between these cities. The same part being shipped from London might take 8-12 hours, while shipping from New York could take 12-24 hours depending on available flights and customs clearance.