Aviation History
Why Was the Concorde Retired?

Almost 50 years ago, the first commercial supersonic jet was introduced into the world, revolutionizing air travel and opening a new chapter in the way people flew. Flying at 2 times the speed of sound and faster than the spin of the Earth, Concorde was a peak of innovation in aviation, and it allowed people to travel across the Atlantic Ocean in just 3 hours. Today, however, the time of flight for the same distance is double. In this sense, aviation seems to have taken a step backwards since the Concorde. If no level of innovation could match that of the Concorde, then why exactly was it retired?
1. Costs
One of the main factors in the retirement of the Concorde was the exorbitant price. Operating a supersonic jet required tons of fuel, and as a result, there were highly expensive operating costs for each flight. The most fuel-efficient consumption rate for the Concorde was at its cruising speed of twice the speed of sound, but even then, the Concorde still consumed 25625 liters of fuel per hour. Using the afterburners on the engine of the Concorde especially consumed high amounts of fuel in just a short period of time. Just taxiing to and from the gates cost the Concorde a shocking 2 tons of fuel. To cover the costs of fuel, airlines operating the Concorde had to charge unreasonably high airfares for passengers onboard. Since very few people could afford to spend so much money on a single flight, the Concorde wasn’t able to attract too many customers and generate profit for the airline. In addition to the operating costs, the Concorde also had high maintenance costs when it was on the ground.

2. Noise
Aside from the problems with operating the Concorde, there were also problems from the ground that contributed to its retirement. Concorde on-air produced extremely loud noises causing disturbance to the residences below. The roaring sounds from the Concorde received a lot of complaints from the ground, and it was even banned from flying over some areas. The noise from the Concorde was so loud that it could even sometimes damage the ears of people on the ground. Due to the noise complaints, the Concorde could only fly over water for most of its flight to limit the disturbance to civilians. This however did not prevent the Concorde from generating extremely loud noises that affected the people. Even in the cabin of the Concorde where the noise was less intense, flyers still felt uncomfortable from the loud noise. The Concorde was too loud to be used.

3. Troubles in 2000 and 2001
Another important factor in the retirement of the Concorde was the crash of Air France Flight 4509 in 2000 and the 9/11 attacks in 2001. In 2000, the deadly crash of Air France’s Concorde claimed the lives of all 109 people on board and 4 more people on the ground. Although the Concorde had never crashed in its previous 31-year history, this incident greatly discouraged the public from flying the Concorde and made many people scared of the Concorde. Furthermore, about 1 year after the Concorde incident, the downing of several flights from the 9/11 attacks caused aviation to experience one of the lowest points in its history. Passenger demand for air travel was at an all-time low, and with the public’s fear of flying the Concorde, the aircraft barely received any customers. Even if there were customers for the Concorde, airlines would be losing money since they couldn’t afford to fly the Concorde at a partial capacity. All of these barriers to generating profit from the Concorde ultimately led to the retirement of the supersonic jet just 3 years after the fatal crash of Air France Flight 4509.

Even though the Concorde was one of the most innovative inventions in aviation history, it was not worthwhile to operate. The high fuel costs, noise complaints, and low passenger demand were the main factors that ultimately led to the revolutionary jet’s demise. There were also a few other factors that contributed to the retirement of the Concorde, but they weren’t as significant as the ones listed here. The Concorde was already struggling to survive, and the incidents preceding its retirement were the final push to end the program. Today, the Concorde is a relic of the past; it sits in museums, reminding people of the supersonic jet age from the past.
Sources:
https://www.france24.com/en/20190301-concorde-technical-feat-financial-fiasco
https://www.quora.com/How-much-fuel-did-Concorde-use
https://old.thetravelinsider.info/2003/0411.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Concorde_Project
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_France_Flight_4590
https://www.aerotime.aero/23022-supersonic-aircraft-not-coming-back
Cover image: Simple Flying
Aviation History
Flight Through Time: Top 5 Airlines of the 20th Century

Air travel has come a long way since the Wright Brothers’ first flight in 1903. In the 20th century, airlines played a crucial role in shaping the world of aviation. From the introduction of jumbo jets to the development of computerized flight reservation systems, airlines made significant contributions to the industry’s evolution. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the top five airlines that defined the 20th century.
1) Ansett Australia: A Pioneer in Domestic and Regional Travel
Founded in 1936, Ansett Australia was one of the leading airlines in Australia. It took over Australian National Airways (ANA) in 1958 and became one of the few airlines to purchase the Boeing 767-200 during the early years of the widebody era. Ansett’s stylish livery, which featured multiple cheatlines, became an inspiration for airlines and flyers.
The airline primarily flew domestically within Australia and expanded its operations to Asia in the 1990s. However, after a financial collapse and organized liquidation, Ansett Australia ceased operations in March 2002.

2) Braniff International Airways: The Most Stylish Airline
Braniff International Airways was a Texas-based regional airline founded in 1948. It was bought by the Great American Corporation in 1965 and operated an incredible range of passenger aircraft, including the Boeing 747SP and Concorde. Braniff changed the existing livery to a single, iconic color on each aircraft, chosen from a carefully selected palette of bright hues. This move gave each plane a unique identity and set it apart from other airlines.
Everything from ground equipment to ticket jackets received the same branding, making Braniff the most stylish airline in the world. Air traffic controllers would even place bets on which colored plane would be flying over their radar rooms. Unfortunately, Braniff went bankrupt in 1982 and ceased operations.

3) Eastern Airlines: A Pioneer in US Air Travel
Eastern Airlines was one of the earliest major US air carriers, founded in 1930. It enjoyed a monopoly on the US Atlantic corridor between New York and Florida and pioneered the air shuttle service between New York and Washington DC and New York and Boston. Eastern used Douglas jets into the jet age and became the launch customer for the Boeing 727, which brought jet service to suburbs and towns.
Eastern also became the first US airline to obtain the European Airbus A300. However, the carrier filed for bankruptcy in 1989 and ceased operations in 1991.

4) Trans World Airlines (TWA): A Luxury Carrier
TWA was initially founded as two companies, Western Air Express in 1926 and Transcontinental Air Transport in 1928. The two companies merged in 1930 to become TWA. The airline became a major international carrier after its acquisition by Howard Hughes, a United States billionaire, in 1940.
TWA was known as a luxury carrier that promoted technological innovations in air travel through its products and services. TWA became the first airline to offer coast-to-coast flights in 1940, and after filing for bankruptcy for the third time, it was acquired by American Airlines in December 2001.

5) Pan American World Airways (Pan Am): The Most Prominent International Airline
Pan Am was the most prominent international airline for most of the 20th century. Founded in 1927, Pan Am began as a scheduled passenger and airmail service between Key West, Florida, and Havana, Cuba. By the mid-20th century, Pan Am enjoyed a near monopoly on international routes and pioneered numerous innovations in the modern commercial aviation industry.
Pan Am kick-started the jet age of aviation in 1958 and introduced the first ever jumbo jet, the “Queen of the Skies” Boeing 747, in January 1970. Pan Am was the first airline to introduce a computerized flight reservation system and epitomized the luxury and glamour of intercontinental travel in the 20th century with large modern aircraft and superior cabin offerings.

These five airlines played a significant role in shaping the world of aviation in the 20th century. They introduced new technologies, pioneered innovative services and amenities, and set new standards for air travel. While they may no longer be in operation, their legacies continue to inspire the aviation industry today.
Have you ever flown on any of these historic airlines?
Also, you might be interested in reading: Top 5: Unique Aircraft Hotels to Add to Your Travel Bucket List
Aviation History
Air India’s First International Journey: A Look Back at The Historic Flight 75 Years Ago

Today marks the 75th anniversary of an iconic event, Air India’s first international journey. A Lockheed Constellation L-749A, aptly named the ‘Malabar Princess,’ ventured on its maiden international voyage. The flight, commanded by Captain KR Gujdar, originated from Mumbai and touched down in London. Departing just past 11:00 pm local time on June 8, 1948, the trip included stopovers at Cairo and Geneva.
Air India’s Evolution Leading to the First International Journey
Air India found its roots in 1932. Renowned industrialist and India’s first licensed pilot, JRD Tata, established it as Tata Air Services. By July 1946, the airline transitioned to the name Air India. Before embarking on this historic flight, “International” was added to the title. JRD Tata celebrated the flight’s announcement with a full-page advertisement in the Times of India on June 3, 1948. The advertisement invited passengers to “Fly with me to London via Cairo and Geneva every Tuesday in a beautiful constellation for Rs. 1,720.”
Distinguished Passengers of Air India’s First International Journey

35 passengers boarded the inaugural flight, comprising notable figures of Indian society. Maharaja Duleep Singh was among the passengers. Also, two Indian cyclists, HB Malcolm and RR Noble, were making their way to represent India at the London Olympic Games.
JRD Tata and his wife were also on board. Tata carried goodwill messages from Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s Prime Minister, for the prime ministers of Britain and Egypt and the president of the Swiss Republic. Additionally, Tata had letters from India’s Communications Minister Rafi Ahmed Kidwai for his counterparts in these countries.
Celebrating this milestone
The departure of ‘Malabar Princess’ from Mumbai turned into a public spectacle. A massive crowd and press members gathered to capture the event. Upon landing at London Airport, dignitaries like VK Krishna Menon, India’s High Commissioner in the UK, and Tata Ltd’s Managing Director in London, Sir Fredrick James, greeted the passengers. A commemorative stamp was issued to celebrate the occasion. It bore the words “First Flight June 8, 1948” and “Air India International.”

Fast forward to today, and the journey between India and the UK has shortened considerably from the 48 hours it took in 1948. Now, Air India operates services from London Heathrow to multiple Indian destinations. These include Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Goa, and Kochi, using Boeing 787-8 and 777-300ER aircraft.
READ ALSO: EgyptAir Celebrates 91 Years of Service: A Look Back at Its History, Achievements, and Future

Looking back at this historic flight, we realize how much progress aviation has made. So, let’s imagine what the next 75 years of air travel might bring. What are your predictions for the future of aviation?
Air Crash
Stockport Air Disaster: A Tragic Incident in UK Aviation History

In the late 60s, the UK witnessed a devastating aviation accident involving a British Midland Airways’ Canadair C-4 Argonaut aircraft. Although nearly six decades have passed, the tragedy remains etched in the annals of UK aviation history. This article aims to shed light on the incident that has since become known as the Stockport Air Disaster.

Flight Background and Tragic Incident
On June 4, 1967, a seemingly ordinary charter flight operated by British Midland Airways turned into a nightmare. Carrying 84 holidaymakers from Palma de Mallorca (PMI) to Manchester Airport (MAN), the Canadair C-4 Argonaut aircraft encountered an engine malfunction upon approach to Manchester.
Despite the crew’s attempts to manage the situation and a go-around procedure, the aircraft’s speed dropped precipitously. Air Traffic Control (ATC) became aware of the situation as the plane emerged from the cloud cover, and it quickly descended to 1287 feet. The aircraft subsequently lost control and crashed in Stockport, an industrial town in Greater Manchester. The disaster, which resulted in 72 fatalities, ranks as the fourth-worst plane crash in British aviation history.

Investigation and Findings
The Accidents Investigation Branch (AIB) promptly launched an investigation into the incident. Their analysis indicated that a double engine failure caused by fuel starvation had led to the accident. This was attributed to a previously unrecognized flaw in the model’s fuel system, which incorporated eight fuel tanks arranged in pairs.
The investigation found that pilots of other Argonaut aircraft had previously observed similar issues. However, neither British Midland Airways nor any other airlines operating the Argonaut had reported these problems to the manufacturer. This lack of communication meant the pilots of the doomed flight were unable to fully comprehend the nature of their emergency.
Further compounding the tragedy was the discovery that a fuel-related problem had been recorded on the aircraft just five days before the crash. Regrettably, this information did not surface until four months after the accident, raising questions about communication and safety protocols within the aviation industry.
Memorial and Reflection
In 1998, a significant moment of remembrance took place when two survivors unveiled a memorial plaque at the exact crash location. The Stockport Air Disaster serves as a reminder of the importance of communication within the aviation sector, the need for rigorous safety checks, and the impacts such incidents have on those directly involved and the broader community.
As we remember the tragic Stockport Air Disaster, our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and the survivors. Their memory serves as a solemn reminder of the importance of continuous improvement in aviation safety standards.
READ ALSO: How Braniff Flight 542 Disintegrated In Mid-Air Left Investigators Baffling
We’d like to ask our readers: How do you think incidents like this have shaped the way we approach air travel safety today? We invite your thoughts and discussions on this crucial topic. Leave your thoughts below.
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