TIL an A330 can fly with a ripped off winglet.

[MEL_Traveller]

I would be more concerned with the hidden stuff. For example what some airlines allow in their aircraft's minimum equipment list required for operation.

A quick bit of research on the CASA page seems to indicate that aircraft manufactures set the Master Minimum Equipment List, from which airlines can tailor theirs. But the airline’s MEL must be approved by regulators.

CAAP 37-01 - Minimum equipment lists (MEL)​

Any MEL that somehow fell below the Master MEL would likely present an airline with legal and insurance issues.

 

[Quickstatus]

But the airline’s MEL must be approved by regulators.

I didn't say that the airline's MEL would be less than approved, but it's a MEL regardless of any approval, implying that some items are not operational and in the context is this thread, hidden compared to a visible missing winglet. Would passengers be concerned if they knew that their aircraft is missing certain items? Or is it "what you don't know does not hurt you". .


The final go no go decision comes down to the pilots. Some pilots would accept an airline' approved MEL for the particular mission and others would not.