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.