Yesterday, ILM-PHL #4529 was delayed >7 hours because the inbound blew a tire upon landing. They first told us the flight would be delayed ~ 2 hours, as the next CLT-ILM plane would bring in a replacement tire. However, the story then changed to "well, that flight was a Republic flight and only Republic planes can bring in replacement parts for their planes." Several folks got very heated (unfortunately) toward the US staff in ILM. The announcement was then made that this "no replacement parts can come on other carriers" is an "FAA safety rule" and there's no way the airline can get around it.

Anyone ever heard of such a thing before? I could fully understand that PSA/Air Wisconsin/other carriers in CLT (or even PHL) don't have access to all the replacement parts for a Republic plane, but does the FAA really control who can fly in replacement parts?