Not quite certain what the lessons are to be learned here.

The options available to BMI are:

1. Have a spare Airbus in the fleet. They cost very roughly $100m each and it would more than consume any profit BMI have ever made in recent years. And it still doesn't fully help in a situation like last summer when two aircraft were out of action.

2. Cancel the flight. What some other airlines do. As there probably wasn't a lot of availability on other flights to Manchester on a Friday evening you'd be off to Euston for the train - and probably standing in it.

3. Charter in a "high quality" aircraft. Unfortunately these always don't exist, despite the "oh there must be a spare one" belief of uninformed observers. When you invest in such an asset you plan to use it. It's just like those who when trains are overcrowded say "oh, just add extra carriages" as if they miraculously are kept waiting for any eventuality.

4. Go to European (or Titan, or the few others who can handle such a request). They have, ready for immediate despatch, fully depreciated but perfectly serviceable aircraft, crewed and ready to go for anybody; BMI, Ryanair, the holiday charter companies, whoever. It's probably been sat for days at Bournemouth, unused, waiting for the phone call. Note how the European 737 was keeping nice time all day long on this programme, better than some of the BMI Airbuses, not really a sign of poor mechanical standards. Sure the cabin shows its 30 years. But in BMIs position it's the option to go for.

If you want to fly in a "Bucket of bolts" I'll take you up in my old Cessna. Perfectly serviceable. And you'll never complain about European ever again!