This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Concorde lands at Museum of Flight
19/04/2004
Concorde's arrival at theMuseumofFlightis a landmark in the development of an inspiring visitor attraction, Tourism Minister Frank McAveety said today.
Welcoming the iconic aircraft as it arrived at East Fortune airfield inEast Lothian, the Minister said the Concorde exhibit would enhance the national and international cultural reputation ofScotland.
A special exhibition featuring the supersonic airliner will contribute to visitor and tourist numbers as well as education programmes.
Mr McAveety said:
"Concorde's arrival is wonderful news forScotlandand for the National Museum of Scotland's ambitious plans to develop theMuseumofFlightinto one of our foremost visitor attractions.
"This exciting development enables NMS to strengthen its already significant contribution to Scottish life - the promotion ofScotlandworldwide, support for research, education and lifelong learning, and the generation of economic benefits.
"Concorde is an important part of our past and a symbol of the best in British design and engineering. She illustrates the kind of product that has been created inScotlandand the contribution that our engineers and designers have made to such developments. We should ensure future generations have access to that history and I am confident that NMS has the expertise to be able to provide a secure home for the aircraft and to preserve it for future generations."
Scottish Ministers have fully supported the bid by NMS to bring aConcorde toScotlandand have pledged up to £2 million from the existing culture budget for the development plans for the museum. The costs of transporting Concorde to East Fortune are being met from this money. This support allowed NMS to fight off stiff competition from 60 bidders around the world to secure this great aircraft.
The aircraft G-BOAA is one of two Concordes not modified following theAirFrancetragedy. NMS consider it to be perhaps the most historically significant Concorde in the fleet, flying the first scheduled flight (toBahrain) on21 January 1976. In addition, it was the first aircraft to make the journey toNew York, minutes before an Air France plane touched down.
Visitor numbers are expected to increase from 60,000 p.a. to 100,000 or120,000, including 15,000 for the annual air show.
Significant impact is expected on the economic regeneration of East
Lothian and of the wider Lothian and Scottish economy. A recent study [by NMS] estimating an extra £1.3 million to be generated by the Museum within two or three years of Concorde's arrival.