Aircraft on Ground (AOG)
Aircraft on Ground (AOG) is an aviation-maintenance term for the critical situation where an aircraft cannot fly until a required part or repair is provided — it is grounded, unable to earn, and often stranding passengers or cargo. AOG triggers the highest-priority, most time-critical logistics in the industry, since every hour of grounding costs an airline enormous sums.
AOG logistics is a specialised service: sourcing the needed aircraft spare part anywhere in the world and rushing it to the grounded aircraft by the fastest possible means — next flight out, hand-carry (an onboard courier), or dedicated air charter — with round-the-clock coordination and expedited customs clearance. It is the extreme end of expedited freight, where speed utterly dominates cost. AOG is a benchmark example of when premium options like charter and hand-carry are justified, and a distinct niche served by specialist AOG desks and logistics providers.
A grounded aircraft bleeds money by the hour, so AOG is where logistics speed matters most — sourcing a part globally and rushing it by next flight, hand-carry or charter, cost be damned. It is the textbook case for premium expedited options and a specialised niche, illustrating how far urgency can push logistics.
What does AOG mean?
Aircraft on Ground — an aircraft grounded and unable to fly until a needed part or repair is delivered.
How are AOG parts moved?
By the fastest available means — next flight out, onboard hand-carry courier, or dedicated air charter, with expedited clearance.