Unprofitable SST to be Grounded By End Of Year

British Airways and Air France have both announced that they will stop flying the glamorous but uneconomic Concorde before the year is out. Air France, in fact, may not fly their Concordes past the end of May.

Since the Concorde's (only) crash in July of 2000, the mystique of flying the pointy machine hasn't returned. Mandated safety changes made the machine more-expensive, shortened its range a bit, and... failed to restore public confidence. The worldwide economy isn't flying so high lately, either.

'Til Then: Special Deals

This is likely to come when BA's summer timetable ends on the last weekend of October.

A spokesman for BA said the company would be continuing revised special ticket deals.

[The BBC reported the deals thus: London to New York one-way ticket on Concorde and a subsonic return in economy class for �1,999 (US$3110).  One-way on Concorde and a subsonic return in business class (Club World) for �2,999 (US$4666). One-way on Concorde and a subsonic return in first class for �3,499 (US$5444). One Concorde return flight for �3,999 (US$6222) These offers are valid from Thursday for travel until the end of August.]

Death knell for 'premium services?'

The airline's statement said: "BA has decided that such an investment cannot be justified in the face of falling revenue caused by a global downturn in demand for all forms of premium travel in the airline industry."

BA's chief executive Rod Eddington said, "Concorde has served us well and we are extremely proud to have flown this marvellous and unique aircraft for the past 27 years. This is the end of a fantastic era in world aviation, but bringing forward Concorde's retirement is a prudent business decision at a time when we are having to make difficult decisions right across the airline."

Air France Decides Same

"It is with regret that Air France has decided to end operations by Concorde," said Air France chief executive Jean-Cyril Spinetta.

A BBC article notes that "BA said retiring the ageing Concordes would result in �84million ($131 million) write-off costs for the year ended March 2003."

The planes will likely soon head for museums -- or e-Bay.

Concorde Incidents (adapted from BBC list):

• February 20, 2003: Emergency landing after engine problems
• January 12, 2003: Nose cone malfunctions
• November 27, 2002: Part of tail rudder falls off
• November 6, 2002: Engine fails, sparking panic
• November 3, 2002: Plane turns around after engine failure
• October 30, 2002: Speed cut after window cracks spotted
• July, 2002: Problem after engine power surge
• April, 2002: Engine failure causes mid-air 'bang'
• March, 2002: Take-off abandoned after computer glitch
• November, 2001: Flight aborted over engine reheats
• July, 2000: Only loss of a Concorde kills 113

Adieu, chere Concorde.

FMI: www.british-airways.com, www.airfrance.com