Aircraft Maintenance Team should always prioritize "Airworthiness" of the aircraft. Do not bow to operational and commercial pressure. Always communicate honestly to flight crew and ground crew in order for them to estimate the delay and their next course of action ( Change Aircraft, New Departure Timing and so forth). In this era prioritize maintenance task should not be an issue as most airliners do have their "AOG" aircraft of ground crew in standby mode at all times.

In the event of a sudden flight delay, prioritizing maintenance tasks is crucial to ensuring safety and operational efficiency. First, assess the nature of the delay—whether it's due to mechanical issues or external factors. For mechanical concerns, prioritize critical systems affecting safety, such as avionics and engines, ensuring these are thoroughly inspected and rectified first. Next, address any non-critical tasks that can be completed swiftly to minimize downtime, like cabin inspections or minor repairs. Collaborate closely with flight crews and ground operations to ensure clear communication and efficient resource allocation. Lastly, utilize data-driven insights to anticipate future maintenance needs.

1- In a sudden flight delay, prioritize maintenance by focusing on safety-critical. 2- Keep stakeholders informed and adapt as needed to ensure safety and minimize disruption. 3- Ensure compliance- repair meets airworthiness. 4- Prioritize quick fixes to reduce downtime and utilize all available ground support or external technicians. 5- Consider an aircraft swap for prolonged delays. For eg AC to AD. 6- File MEL for non critical repair. 7- Keep stakeholders informed and adapt to new challenges dynamically to ensure safety and efficiency. Decision based on the operational need to ensure safety and efficient resolution.

Assess the cause of the delay whether it’s mechanical failure and how long it will take to get it to safe operation conditions. Keep updating the crew how long it will take to repair.

The question should layout enough information in order to answer statement. I.e. what position in the org chart is this directed? What are the airline standards directed for these decisions. What size aircraft? What regulation does the airline work under?