I have read all the recent letters on Concorde and continue to be amazed. Surely all these sources are as uninformed as I am, being only a supplier to the aviation industry and not a decision maker at British Airways chief executive Rod Eddington's level.
But what everybody seems to be ignoring or missing is that Air France and BA are not the most profitable companies in their respective stock markets. If they thought they could operate even one aircraft successfully, safely and profitably for even an extra few weeks, they surely would have done.
Yes, the last flights and the impending grounding of the aircraft generated huge publicity, and acres of newsprint, but it would not have been the first U-turn by a company if Concorde had been kept flying. If the airlines could still operate the aircraft, I am sure they would.
I admire Virgin's continual desire for publicity, but I bet even Sir Richard Branson knows this was a lost cause. It is a shame to see it go, and I am sure we will see other fantastic (maybe not faster) aircraft in the future. Our children will see innovations; we will fly in comfort and safety around an ever shrinking globe, and remember Concorde fondly. Now, can it rest in peace?
Mark Casserly Egham, Surrey, UK
Editor's reply: On that note, Concorde correspondence is now being laid to rest.
Source: Flight International
