§ Mr. Terry Walkerasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will now make a statement on the latest situation concerning Concorde services to the United States of America.
§ Mr. ShoreIn a joint statement issued in New York today British Airways and Air France announced that they intended to inaugurate commercial flights to Dulles Airport, Washington, on Monday 24th May. In the Government's view, this will secure the earliest possible introduction of commercial services to the USA in a manner consistent with Mr. Coleman's decision.
The airlines also announced that they were seeking a declaratory judgment in the federal courts on their legal right to operate into New York, which has not been accepted by the Port Authority 548W of New York and New Jersey. Their views on this matter are in accord with those of the British and French Governments, who recognise that, where there are differing interpretations of law, as in this case, it is in the interest of all parties that the issues should be speedily determined. The action the airlines have brought is for precisely this purpose.