Industry Analysis Case Study

Concorde and Supersonic Civil Aviation

OR

Abstract:
For about 25 years Concorde had made the world a smaller place by flying double the speed of sound and clocking just three and half hours to reach New York from Paris or London. Although Concorde was troubled throughout its history by its prohibitive costs, the thrill of 'flying faster than a rifle bullet' had made it a dream aircraft for many flying enthusiasts. The supersonic passenger aviation technology still being in its infancy, Concorde could never get the technological support that it required to become economically viable and environmentally acceptable. Air France suspended Concorde services in May 2003. When British Airways withdrew Concorde on October 23rd 2003, it was the only supersonic passenger aircraft in the world and there was no other design on board.

Pedagogical Objectives:

• To discuss how Concorde, as a part of an ongoing development process in supersonic aviation, failed due to inadequate technological advancements.

Keywords : Concorde, Supersonic aviation, Civil aviation, Specifications of Concorde, Air routes of Concorde, Operating costs of Concorde, Development of supersonic aviation, Sonic boom, Problems of Concorde, Technology Management Case Study, Concorde's crash, Initial routes of Concorde, Supersonic aviation underdevelopment, Supersonic aviation and Concorde, Supersonic aviation after Concorde, Commercial supersonic technology