A flight of farewell (From Barry And District News)

A flight of farewell

1'FAREWELL TO CONCORDE', that was the message from more than 5,000 people who turned out at Cardiff International Airport last week to see the final visit of the supersonic aircraft to Wales.

2It was also the last time Cabin Service Director Simon Baxendale, who is from Dinas Powys, will serve a glass of champagne on-board the luxury airliner.

He said: "It's a celebration, I can't believe I'm part of it. It's more than I could have aspired to, to bring Concorde home. I'm sure I will be sad in the next few days, but, at the moment, I'm just so pleased to be here. Words fail me."

Simon, who has being serving on Concorde for five years added that there is nothing that compares to it.

"It's one of a kind, it's just so unique, it's a time machine. You can leave New York before you depart your time in London, so I think that's what we will all miss. There's a great camaraderie, a great crew, we carry the same passengers, you will see the same customer at least once a month sometimes. It's a great benefit for us as well and I'm sure we'll miss it as much as they do."

3British Airways Concorde has flown more than 2.5 million people since it's commercial service began in 1976. It can reach speeds of up to 1350mph when flying supersonically, at an altitude of up to 60,000 feet. In 1996, it completed it's fastest flight between London and New York in 2 hours and 52 minutes.

First Operations Crew member Peter Benn said it was a tremendous privilege to fly.

"We're all terribly sad, its a wonderful aeroplane but the only thing to do is to look to the future with as much confidence as we can find, and capture some of the excellence that was in Concorde and take it forward into other areas of our lives. It's been a real privilege to fly, and it was a great joy for me to bring it to Wales today, a real honour. It was my last landing and to do that here in Wales, is something I will never forget."

4In a final group shot, the Concorde team get ready for the last leg of their Farewell Tour - a historic but sad moment!