Concorde flight may be the last

Could this be the swan song for the Concorde?

PARIS, France -- An Air France Concorde took off from New York on Thursday morning on what may prove to be the legendary airliner's final flight.

Aviation authorities withdrew Concorde's permission to fly after one of the planes crashed in flames on July 25 just outside Paris's Charles de Gaulle airport, killing 113 people.

Since then, one of Air France's remaining five Concorde jets has been left sitting on the tarmac at New York's JFK airport.

While mechanics have been carrying out regular checks, the airline was keen for it to be back under cover in its hangar at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport.

French aviation authorities authorised the repatriation of Concorde F-BVFC with a crew of four, including a pilot, co-pilot and two engineers. A special technician from Air France was also to be on the flight but no passengers are allowed.

Concorde's airworthiness certificate was withdrawn last month after accident investigators announced that a ruptured tyre probably set off the chain of events that led to the crash.

Authorities are seeking modifications to ensure a similar event could never occur before further flights are allowed.

Air France says it is "neither optimistic nor pessimistic" about Concorde's chances of survival

Air France and British Airways were the only companies to operate the aircraft and French and British aviation experts are working together to see what measures would be needed.

The French company expects the Concorde to resume its regular flights next spring, an Air France official told CNN.

However, given that the 12 remaining Concordes are ageing and that any modifications to the structure of the aircraft would cost millions to implement, many experts believe that the airliner will never resume service.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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