Authorities Clear Way for Concorde Takeoff

British and French authorities cleared the way for the Concorde to resume commercial service next month after approving a number of modifications to the world’s only civilian supersonic airliner.

Just over a year after an Air France Concorde’s fiery crash outside Paris, in which 113 people died, officials on both sides of the English Channel said they would allow the luxury airliners to resume flying once the changes were complete.

Among the alterations demanded by the civilian aviation authorities were the strengthening of underwing fuel tanks, stronger tires and modifications to undercarriage wiring. Each Concorde will receive an airworthiness certificate once the modifications are made.