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Description
This programme examines the factors which determined Concorde's performance in the airline market. Special attention is paid to the way in which the plane was promoted at government level and th...e airlines' reasons for not taking up their options on the plane.
This programme examines the factors which determined Concorde's performance in the airline market. Special attention is paid to the way in which the plane was promoted at government level and th...e airlines' reasons for not taking up their options on the plane.
| Module code and title: | D203, Decision making in Britain |
|---|---|
| Item code: | D203; 03; 1977 |
| First transmission date: | 17-03-1977 |
| Published: | 1977 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:30 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Carol Haslam |
| Contributors: | James Barber; Mary Goldring; Geoffrey Knight; Chris Pollitt |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Concorde; Supersonic aircraft |
| Footage description: | The programme begins with shots from an advertisement for Concorde. James Barber describes the importance of the international airline market for Concorde. Geoffrey Knight, of B.A.C., explains why B.A.C. decided to develop Concorde. Shots of the plane being built. Geoffrey Knight describes the way in which the government watched over the selling of the plane and in particular the help B.A.C. were given by the Heath government. Shots of the Concorde promotion trip, led by Michael Heseltine, in Iran, Singapore, Japan and Australia. John Davies, Secretary of State, Department of Industry and Trade, describes how the government helped to promote the international sales of Concorde. Robert Vergnaud, French Minister of Aviation, describes the support given, to selling the plane by the French government. James Barber describes the expected level of sales during the 1960s and compares these to the level of options eventually taken out. Mary Goldring, former Aviation Correspondent of the Economist, explains how the main American airlines worked out that they could not make Concorde pay. Alan Beaves, marketing manager of British Airways, argues that Concorde is the most researched aircraft in the world and that this research shows that there is a market for the plane and that Concorde can be a financial success. James Barber explains the economic importance of the route to New York. Najeeb Halaby, former President of Pan Am Airlines, describes that airline's approach and image and the reasons why they decided not to buy Concorde. Shots of Concorde. Mary Goldring describes Pan Am's doubts about the profitability of the plane, even without any major capital expenditure. She then describes arrangements British Airways and Air France have with their governments to cover the costs of flying Concorde. In an extract from Panorama, January 1976, Henry Marking, Managing Director of British Airways discusses the economics of flying Concorde. James Barber compares the performance and sales of the Boeing 747 with that of Concorde. Concorde is superior to the Jumbo only in its speed. For this to be an advantage long routes must be negotiated. Geoffrey Knight describes the flight to Bahrain as being potentially the first stop of a route to Melbourne. Gerald Kaufman, Minister of State, Department of Industry, describes the government's role in negotiating the route to New York. He describes the various levels at which negotiations take place. Shots of Kaufman appearing before a Senate hearing and on American television, arguing in favour of Concorde. James Barber describes the final results of all this promotion. Only 16 planes are to be built and there are only 9 planes in operation so far. Morien Morgan, B.A.C., argues that Concorde will succeed given time. Richard Wiggs, founder of the Anti-Concorde group, argues that we should never attempt another project like Concorde. Najeeb Halaby states that Concorde should be considered as an investment in advanced technology. Geoffrey Knight argues that continued investment in and modification of the plane would give it a very large market. Finally, Gerald Kaufman states that the British aircraft industry must now decide upon its options for building subsonic planes. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/72451 |
| Production number: | 6HT72451 |
| Videofinder number: | 3397 |
| Available to public: | no |
