European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - February 23, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 18 the stars and stripes sunday february 23. 19e6 six of the eight concorde owned by British airways. By Paul Lewis new York times t he concorde the supersonic passenger plane that is marking its 10h anniversary has proved to be a technological achievement but one that has had trouble getting Oil the ground financially. Although the Luel guzzling Craft is now paying its own Way its original Cost has Neve r been recovered. Moreover Only 20 were Ever produced and Only two airlines use them. Nonetheless Aero spatial the French state owned aircraft maker that designed and built the distinctive Needle thin droopy nosed planes in collaboration with British aerospace has disclosed ambitious plans for a son of concorde and is seeking help from United states aircraft manufacturers to get it flying Early in the next Century. The new version would Fly farther and carry twice As Many passengers. There is Little question within the aviation Industry that a larger faster supersonic Craft is technologically feasible. In fact a Range of supersonic passenger aircraft some capable of flying at three or four times the Speed of sound Are currently being studied by american aircraft manufacturers under various civil military and company financed programs Aero spatial officials Point out. Many believe that in 15 or 20 years with technological improvements and changed economics a supersonic Craft could be More practical financially. The French company argues that the experience it has gained from concorde and the work it has done since on designing a second generation plane make it a logical partner for an american company interested in supersonic passenger Light. At a time when americans Are becoming interested in supersonic passenger flight we want the . Industry to know we Are working on a second generation concorde and we re interested in finding partners an Aero spatial spokesman said. A successor for concorde will Only be possible if several nations agree to work together to develop ii air France s president Marceau Long warned recently. The proposed new plane looks very much like the existing concorde with the same Needle like body and Delta wings. But it would carry More than 200 passengers twice As Many As concorde can manage today cruise at 1,700 Miles an hour compared with the present plane s 1,350 Miles an hour have a longer Range and be equipped with less thirsty engines. When briton and France poured some $2 billion into creating the concorde in the late 1960s and 1970s, they hoped it would become a Monument to european technology and give their aircraft industries a decisive Lead Over american rivals. But they reckoned without the 1973 Oil Price explosion which quickly transformed the fuel hungry plane into a costly White elephant. British airways and air France both government owned were ordered to Fly the Craft As a matter of National prestige. They charged Premium prices $4,000 to $5,000 to Fly round trip Between the United states and Europe for the Chance to sip Champagne at 1,350 Miles an hour. But a raft of problems quickly crowded in on the unhappy operators. A critical one was Landing rights. Only after a Long argument about concorde s engine noise for example did new York agree to Grant Landing rights allowing both airlines to Fly the plane on what they had always believed would be its most popular route. Today the planes Fly Only Between new York and London and new York and Paris. Attempts to Fly the plane elsewhere have proved disappointing. British airways Hopes of a supersonic run to Australia were frustrated by India s refusal to allow supersonic flights Over its territory and opposition from saudi Arabia after the British broadcasting corp. Showed the film death of a Princess that portrayed saudi High society in an unflattering Light. Bran left and Singapore airlines tried the plane briefly but found its Range too Short and its fuel Bill too High. Air France discontinued its concorde service to latin America in 1982 because of the losses. British airways and air France the Only airlines to operate the concorde Are now making a profit on the plane though Only after the British and French governments agreed to write off its $2 billion development costs As a loss to taxpayers. Of the 20 concorde built British airways and air France each took eight the others have been used for testing and spares. British airways keeps seven of the aircraft in service and cannibalize the eighth for spare parts. Air France flies Only four. British airways concorde Fleet which lost $5 million its first year moved into the Black in 1982. Last year the airline s supersonic Craft chalked up an $18 million profit on revenues of $150 million. Air France s concorde operations became profitable in 1983, and last year turned a profit of about $10 million. Both airlines say their daily new York flights have passed the break even Point about 60 percent full on average. Prices remain High but the Speed is still a Marvel. For $5,104 round trip for example a British airways passenger can Board the concorde at 10 30 . In London have a luxurious lunch Over the Atlantic and arrive in new York before 9 o clock the same morning. Then the passenger can leave new York in old morning the next Day and be in London in time for late Tea. Air France offers a similar round trip for $4,296, and cites lower demand for seats on the Paris new York run As the reason that it charges a lower Price. Prices in the United states vary weekly with foreign Exchange rate fluctuations. Despite such prices the planes have built up a Small but Loyal clientele. Even the archbishop of Canterbury has praised concorde flight saying he feels nearer to  we be created an exclusive club of fliers said capt. Brian Walpole general manager of British airways concorde division. Both airlines have also developed charter businesses to help fill their supersonics arranging special flights for companies or organizations that want to entertain clients or celebrate a special occasion. The Cost about $16,000 an hour. Last year British airways arranged 100 concorde charter flights and air France 77