Aircraft
Supersonic Future Remains Uncertain, Says New Report
New environmental report casts a pall on optimism for political acceptance
For now, the image of supersonic Boom airliners rolling down the line remains computer generated. Entry into service is now envisioned in 2025.
For now, the image of supersonic Boom airliners rolling down the line remains computer generated. Entry into service is now envisioned in 2025.

There has been no great acceleration toward the finish line in the journey to reinstitute supersonic civil air travel. The process of revisiting the halcyon days of Concorde—which last flew in 2003—has been slow and, at times, controversial. The hurdles are not only technical but perhaps, more significantly, economic, political, and social.

A 13-page working paper released yesterday by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) casts a shadow on optimism for successfully reintroducing supersonic flight, though it leaves smaller supersonic business jets—such as Aerion’s in-development, Mach 1.4 AS2—out of its line of fire.