LHR's most famous landmark to go by April 1st

Saw this on a.net and read it in Flight Interantional [|:)]

The BA Concorde on the roundabout at the entry to LHR Central Area is be removed by April 1st being replaced by an Emirates A380 model.

Semms BA are blaming high adverstising costs. The site is considered a prime location as it is passed by some 20million people each year!

[Pete]

April 1st, you say? a.net, you say?

Originally posted by pixuk
April 1st, you say? a.net, you say?

There was a big article on this in Business Traveller last week. Apparently it costs BA £1.5m p.a. and Willie's chopped it. Emirates are stepping in with a multi year deal and a A380 model.

What a shame for BA.

I share Pete's scepticism over the date, but the whole article is here and does indeed say (at the bottom of the article):

In other news, an Emirates' A380 model will replace BA's Concorde at Heathrow from April 1. A model of BA's former supersonic plane is strategically placed at the roundabout just before road users enter the Central Area tunnel. The famous advertising site, for which BA is reckoned to pay airport operator BAA a fee of £1.5 million a year, is viewed by 25 million Heathrow users annually.

Emirates has signed a six year deal for the site which will cover the period of the London Olympic Games in 2012.

So unless they're getting their April Fool story in early, it looks like there is going to be a change at Heathrow.

Best wishes

David

Ahhh yes didnt make the connection with the date but it was in FI as well and been confirmed by both EK and that advertising company whose name escapes me at the moment.

Surprised VS werent tempted

[Bazz]

Wonder what will happen with the model? Probably be too big for a desk ornament?

[honey lamb]

Here's an article from http://www.flightglobal.com with a picture of the model

Originally posted by Bazz
Wonder what will happen with the model? Probably be too big for a desk ornament?

I'm sure BA will find a new home for it at T5.

Phil FM

Originally posted by FamilyMan

Originally posted by Bazz
Wonder what will happen with the model? Probably be too big for a desk ornament?

I'm sure BA will find a new home for it at T5.

Phil FM

No its being offered to either Brooklands or Duxford. BA have a Concorde (G-BOAB) currently sat at LHR reserved for T5. When building is complete the a/c will be towed from its current position (close to t1) to T5. Originally it was thought that she would be placed within the terminal building to act as a "gate keeper" but now it looks like she will be placed outside the terminal.

Originally posted by willd

Originally posted by FamilyMan

Originally posted by Bazz
Wonder what will happen with the model? Probably be too big for a desk ornament?

I'm sure BA will find a new home for it at T5.

Phil FM

No its being offered to either Brooklands or Duxford. BA have a Concorde (G-BOAB) currently sat at LHR reserved for T5. When building is complete the a/c will be towed from its current position (close to t1) to T5. Originally it was thought that she would be placed within the terminal building to act as a "gate keeper" but now it looks like she will be placed outside the terminal.

I knew the BOAB was going to T5 but figured BA might want to keep the model (reg:CONC) as well - after all both Brooklands and Duxford already have a concorde each too (BBDG and AXDN respectively).

Anyway good to know it's going to a good home.

Phil FM

[fozzyo]

On fabulous Tristar driver last year (you'll know her if you've she's ever driven you) told us some excellent stories about the Concorde model and American's commenting that it was "smaller then they thought it would be".

Like the bird, it will be a shame to see it go.

thats a real pity - The concord is an icon .

When I read the news I was certainly in shock and I will be very disappointed when the concorde model goes[:#]

Who wants to see some EK 380 when you could be looking at concorde[xx(]

VS.

[mitchja]

Even if it's not Concorde, you should at least be looking at something British.

Unlikey you'll see a BA (or VS) model A/C on your way into DXB!!

Regards

Unlikey you'll see a BA (or VS) model A/C on your way into DXB!!

If it was a VS model that had been replaced I'm sure, knowing VS, we'd see some VS A346 popping up in DXB duty-free;)

VS.

The difference is that EK can afford to do it & as LHR will be a prime A380 route, why not.

Been to Heathrow yesterday, there were few people working around the Concord model, I guess it will go very soon.

If you think you will miss this landmark, get some photos if you have chance to visit LHR in the next few days.

Went past it on monday, there was a framework in place to put up hoarding around the model, I must admit having not read this thread and then seeing the hoarding on monday i was actually shocked, my old man was a frequent flyer so I'll certainly miss the model when it's gone... (although I miss the fact I'll never be able to fly on Concord more!)