Commercial Concorde Service Suspended (2003)

The Concorde, which began commercial operation in 1976, was the only supersonic passenger jet to provide long-standing service to the public. It was built through a partnership between Britain and France and became a source of national pride among their citizens. The Concorde could cross the Atlantic in just over three hours, but the aircraft was retired in 2003 due to falling demand, rising maintenance costs, and safety issues. What caused the first and only fatal Concorde crash in 2000? More...