DALTON TANONAKA, CNN ANCHOR: British Airways will test fly its supersonic Concorde today, the first such flight since the aircraft's airworthiness certificate was withdrawn. That was after an Air France Concorde crashed outside Paris nearly one year ago. Today's test follows millions of dollars worth of modifications designed to present another tragedy. CNN's Richard Quest reports from Heathrow Airport in London.</s>RICHARD QUEST, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The pride of the British Airways fleet. For the past 10 months, engineers have literally crawled across every part of this aircraft, making modifications and ensuring that the plane is safe to be put back in the air. After the Paris crash, investors said changes needed to be made. Concorde's needed stronger tires to prevent from bursting. Wiring had to be replaced and re-enforced with armor to prevent sparks if they were cut. And most important of all, the fuel tanks had to be strengthened. (on camera): The heart of the modifications to Concorde involved lining the fuel tanks in the middle of the plane with Kevlar, a very strong material that is used in things like bulletproof jackets. These fuel tanks have already been surrounded in Kevlar. And if there was to be another catastrophic accident, this material would hold the fuel and prevent an explosion. (voice-over): Rebuilding this 20-year-old plane has cost more than $25 million, but British Airways says it's worthwhile. The world's wealthy are wanting to fly again on Concorde. And probably, they only have a few more weeks to wait. Richard Quest, CNN, Heathrow Airport, London.
British Airways Will Test Fly its Supersonic Concorde Today