British Airways Suspends Concorde Operations
Aug. 15 -- Weeks after the deadly crash of an Air France Concorde, British Airways today grounded its supersonic jets, saying British and French officials planned to revoke the planes’ airworthiness certification.
The airline’s morning flight from London to New York was canceled, as well as a later return flight from New York.
After the July 25 crash in Paris, which killed 113 people, British Airways suspended Concorde flights for one day. Engine intake of particles from a tire explosion is the suspected cause of that crash.
The airline has since said the plane was safe and continued its regular service. But, in a statement released today, BA officials said they had been notified that Britain’s Air Accident Investigation Branch and French authorities had agreed to suspend certification of the plane.
“As soon as we heard this, we immediately withdrew our supersonic fleet from service,” the airline said.
British Airways’ decision to ground its Concordes apparently was done with some haste. An early morning Concorde flight to New York from Heathrow was recalled to the airport gate, rolling back with 37 passengers aboard. The passengers were transferred to another aircraft. One British Airways Concorde flew empty, back to Britain.
Airline: Safety First
It’s unclear, however, what new finding may have led to the decision. The company did not elaborate on the reasons for the decision by regulators. But an official of Britain’s Civil Aviation Authority, speaking on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press, said the decision to suspend stemmed from the finding that the failure of a tire on the Air France Concordewas the cause of the accident.
French authorities are expected to explain on Wednesday the decision to suspend the jet’s certification.
“We have been in constant contact with the airworthiness authorities in the U.K. and France, the airframe and engine manufacturers, and Air France throughout Concorde’s flying life,and particularly closely since the accident in Paris last month,” said British Airways chief executive, Rod Eddington.
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