31/10/2003

First Concorde flys to last resting place

A proposal to maintain one airworthy Concorde for flypasts and airshows has been scrapped by BA following a feasibility study.

The technical feasibility study, headed by Captain Mike Bannister, Concorde chief pilot, has concluded that it not possible to keep one of the supersonic airliners in an airworthy condition.

British Airways’ Chief Executive Rod Eddington said: “A detailed study with Airbus has regrettably led us both to conclude that it would not be possible. The technical and financial challenges of keeping a Concorde airworthy are absolutely prohibitive. Airbus has told us that they are unable to support such a project, whether it be for British Airways or anyone else.

“While there is no prospect of operating an aircraft for flypasts and airshows, in the future Concorde will be accessible to the public with the majority of aircraft located in the UK.”

Following the end of commercial services with the London Heathrow spectacle where three of the supersonic 'speedbirds' landed last Friday afternoon, the final negotiations are under way to house the Concordes in their retirement.

The final locations announced yesterday by BA are:
  • Airbus UK, Filton Bristol
  • Manchester Airport
  • Museum of Flight, near Edinburgh
  • Heathrow Airport
  • The Museum of Flight, Seattle, USA
  • The Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, New York, USA
  • Grantley Adams Airport, Bridgetown, Barbados.
The first Concorde flew to its last resting place at Manchester airport on Friday, October 31. The other Concordes will leave to go to their new homes shortly.

Mr Eddington added: ”Since we announced the retirement of Concorde we have received a wide variety of interesting proposals from organisations wanting to give the aircraft permanent homes.

“We have chosen the final homes based a number of criteria: their ability to properly exhibit and preserve the aircraft, their geographical location and accessibility to the public.

“We are working closely with each of the new homes to make sure they show off each Concorde at her best.”

An auction of Concorde memorabilia will be held on Monday December 1 at Olympia Exhibition centre, in Kensington, and items will include a machmeter, a nose cone, and Concorde pilot and passenger seats.

Profits from the auction will go to charity, with a key beneficiary being ‘Get Kids Going!’, a charity which gives disabled children and young people the opportunity to participate in sport.

(SP)

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