@CAPSLOCKSTUCK Didnt get a chance to reply to the concorde thread as it was locked off but heres my input.....
I think its BS...
When British Airways pulled the plug on their lease of the concorde from BAE, BAE pretty much mothballed the entire fleet but before that, Richard Branson repeatedly offered to buy out the
ENTIRE concorde fleet and fund maintenance for at least 50 years when British Airways decided to pull the plug on their lease saying maintenance was too costly.
BAE didn't know what to do with concorde but neither accepted or rejected Richard Branson's offer so they literally did nothing but sit on their hands. BAE would of made millions if they had decided to go ahead with the venture. Because of BAE's silent rejection, it pushed Richard Branson even harder to design aircraft that was would fly just as high (or higher) using little to no energy or a renewable energy source (solar power) and he has come up with a fair few working prototypes but nothing that comes even close to being able to carry over 100 passengers.
So BAE finally decide they will allow concord out to play?
heres what wiki says
Concorde was retired in 2003 due to a general downturn in the aviation industry after the type's only crash in 2000, the 11 September terrorist attacks in 2001, and a decision by Airbus, the successor firm of Aérospatiale and BAC, to discontinue maintenance support.
heres what i say
The 2000 crash had a huge effect on Concordes reputation, she was taken out of service for nearly 2 years. Safety improvements were made in the wake of the crash, including more secure electrical controls, Kevlar lining on the fuel tanks and specially developed burst-resistant tyres, there was also a luxurious refit of the interior and if memory serves me included removing one row of seats.
During the break in service other airlines were keen to gain these premier passsengers, For example, Virgin Altantic had a promotion stand immediately outside the BA First Class Lounge in Terminal 4 where they promoted the newly introduced "sleeper" style seats. Passengers may not be able to travel as quickly but they could certainly travel in more style and comforton Virgin and other carriers especially as they were offering fantastic inducements to gain these wealthy passengers
She returned to service the month after the 9/11 outrage at a time when NOONE was flying, believe me, Heathrow was a strange place to be, Concorde checkin was quiet. The service still had to run whether there was any one on board or not, i remember her departing for New York with one passenger onboard.
I thought at the time that Bransons offer was more to score points over BA in the war over premier class passengers, and i still feel the same about it now. there was no chance of Branson pulling it off, with no manufacturer prepared to supply spare parts, remember these are bespoke parts manufactured to aviation grade by a French manufacturer.
In 1981 British Airways bought Concorde in its' entirity for £16.5 million plus the first year’s profits and were entiltled to refuse Virgins' offer of £ 1.00 per aircraft. He turned them down when the price was set at 1,000,000.
BAE systems was the manufacturer of the aircraft in collaboration with Ftrench aircraft manufacturers, the project was funded jointly by France and UK Governments. The development project was negotiated as an international treaty between the two countries rather than a commercial agreement between companies and as such there was no lease from BAE (or anyone else)
The decision to allow Concorde out to play has nothing to do with BAE.
I think it very unlikely that the project will succeed, the fleet is spread far and wide in exhibitions and museums......i fear she will never fly again.
ps.......i was Customer Service Duty Manager in Terminal 4 for BAA the airport operator ( yes, the queues were all my fault !!!)
cant have you out do me 
