The Concorde Prepares to Return to the Skies, with India on the Radar
Two decades after its final descent, the Concorde—arguably the most iconic aircraft in the history of aviation—is preparing to return to service.
By Bayar Jain
Jul 9, 2025
Sleek, fast, and unapologetically glamorous, this supersonic jet once embodied the height of luxury travel, ferrying royalty, rockstars, and captains of industry across the Atlantic in under four hours. Today, the Concorde, credited as the world’s first supersonic passenger aircraft, is taking to the skies again.
Once a symbol of cutting-edge luxury, this supersonic aircraft had faded into the past following its final flight in 2003. In its latest avatar—complete with fresh innovation, a renewed focus on sustainability, and global policy changes—Concorde is being reimagined for a new generation of high-speed travellers. India, too, is on the radar for this ultra-luxurious comeback.
This revival is being piloted by Fly-Concorde Limited, under the leadership of Dr Pano Kroko Churchill, a triple PhD physicist and descendant of Winston Churchill. At the heart of the relaunch is a next-generation aircraft that preserves the iconic silhouette of the original Concorde, but upgraded. It will be powered by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and employ patented sonic-boom suppression technology. In doing so, Concorde will address the two most pressing issues that once grounded supersonic travel: environmental impact and noise pollution.
Breaking Barriers
This breakthrough follows a pivotal regulatory move by the United States in June 2025. After more than 50 years, the US government has lifted its ban on supersonic flights over land, clearing the path for a new era of overland speed. With the Concorde Bill signed into law, the Federal Aviation Administration has been tasked with establishing new certification standards to accommodate high-speed travel with minimal acoustic disruption.
But what does it mean for India? Well, it sets the tone for international regulators, including those in India, to revisit long-standing restrictions on supersonic airspace use.
Interestingly, India had its brief flirtation with the Concorde in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when British Airways and Air France operated chartered services to Delhi and Mumbai. But the routes never became permanent. Like much of the world, India had imposed restrictions on supersonic travel over its airspace due to sonic-boom concerns. Now, as international aviation moves towards quieter, cleaner supersonic technology, the possibility of reintroducing such services across the subcontinent appears more feasible than ever.
Fly‑Concorde's vision also aligns with India’s broader ambitions to modernise its aviation sector. The country is already investing in green airports, SAF infrastructure, and airspace upgrades, making it well-positioned to support high-speed travel in the years to come. However, implementation will require close collaboration with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and other regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with international standards.
Concorde 2.0: The Technical Details
The new Concorde will cruise at 60,000 feet and fly at Mach 2, which is twice the speed of current commercial airliners. With a projected capacity of fewer than 100 passengers, the aircraft is projected to be a coveted experience. Interiors will adopt a sleek, minimalist aesthetic inspired by Japanese design principles, with a strong emphasis on personalised comfort and privacy. Weight has been reduced by nearly 50 per cent through advanced composite materials, while SAF propulsion is expected to cut emissions by up to 80 per cent.
Beyond speed, the return of supersonic travel represents a shift in the very definition of luxury. For the discerning Indian traveller accustomed to flying first-class in wide-body jets, Concorde 2.0 (a colloquial name given to the historic return) offers something arguably more important: the luxury of time. A journey from Mumbai to London could shrink from nine hours to under five, all while seated in what could be called ‘the most refined seat in the skies.’
As the world anticipates the return of an aircraft that once turned heads and redefined expectations, a new chapter in aviation is being written, and India could be on the flight path.