Concorde returns to New York

Take-off: The Concorde leaves London's Heathrow Airport on Monday

LONDON, England -- Concorde has touched down in New York after its first flight to the United States since one of the aircraft crashed in Paris last year.

The flight landed at Kennedy International Airport 15 minutes late but British Airways spokesman Jeff Angel said: "The flight went very well."

British Airways said that the flight from London Heathrow was an "operational assessment on the aircraft" with 100 engineers and crew on board.

The jet used was the third BA Concorde upgraded with safety modifications since the crash in the Paris suburb of Gonesse on July 25, 2000, that killed 109 people on the plane and four on the ground.

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Two earlier modified Concorde aircraft have previously flown from Heathrow over Iceland before returning to the UK as part of pre-service trials.

Investigators reported that the Paris crash came when one of the plane's tyres exploded, sending debris into fuel tanks under the plane's wings which then ruptured and burst into flames.

Modifications to Concordes have included lining the fuel tanks with a coating of bullet-proof Kevlar and fitting tougher, more puncture-resistant tyres.

Air France is taking bookings for the full resumption of scheduled Concorde services on November 7, 15 months after the supersonic jet was grounded by the Paris crash.

A BA November 7 flight will be for guests and the media with a full commercial service resuming on November 9.

Rod Eddington, British Airways chief executive, said last week the airline had received "tremendous support from our regular business customers over the last year" and "we look forward to carrying them supersonically across the Atlantic once more."

Air France said Concorde's return to service between Paris and New York was a reflection of the airline's confidence in the future of the aviation industry, in the wake of the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington.

New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, welcomed the announcement last week, saying: "Concorde's return is symbolic of how all New Yorkers feel about rebuilding this great city. I am personally proud to welcome Concorde back to New York."

The new Air France schedule comprises, from November 7, a departure from Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport at 10:30 a.m. (replacing the previous departure at 11 a.m.), and arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport at 8:25 a.m. local time.

On departure from New York to Paris, the Concorde will take off at 8 a.m., arriving at Paris-CDG at 5:45 p.m. Air France said the changes to the flight times offered more connections.

British Airways will begin operations from November 9 with an initial six times a week service between London Heathrow and New York JFK.

Flight BA001 will depart six times each week from London Heathrow at 10:30 a.m. local time and arrive in New York at 9:25 a.m. local time.

The return flight, BA002, will depart New York at 12:15 p.m. local time and arrive at Heathrow at 9:10 p.m. Flights to and from New York will operate every day except Saturday.

From 1st December until 13th April 2002, BA will operate a once a week scheduled Barbados service from Heathrow, departing Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. and arriving in Barbados at 9:45 a.m.

The return will depart Barbados on Saturdays at 11:45 a.m. and arrive at Heathrow at 8:00 p.m. London time.

British Airways has seven Concordes. Air France, the only other company to operate the delta-winged supersonic jet, has a fleet of five jets.