January 20, 2011 – ARSA Executive Director Sarah MacLeod defended the aviation maintenance industry on the PBS Television series Frontline in a report entitled “Flying Cheaper” that aired on January 18.

MacLeod sat down with Frontline correspondent Miles O’Brien last November for a wide-ranging interview about contract maintenance and the important role repair stations play in the international aviation network.

In the portion of MacLeod’s interview that aired during the program, she emphasized the positive aspects of contract maintenance, saying that it allows airlines to focus on their “core business” of flying passengers and cargo while maintaining a high level of safety and improving efficiency.

Contract maintenance work is no different from that done in-house; the work is always approved for return to service by a person or entity that is certificated.  It is simply not possible under existing regulations for an airline to have its maintenance performed willy-nilly all over the world by whomever it pleases without retaining responsibility for the work.