Britain’s “Big Bird” in Dubai?

Britain’s “Big Bird” in Dubai?

Anything’s possible. Rumors are flying that a Dubai-based company has bought Britain’s Concorde, and plans to turn it into a tourist attraction on one of the Palm islands.

April 8, 2009 1:33 by Dana El Baltaji

British newspapers published reports on Wednesday claiming the last of seven Concordes in British Airways’ (BA) fleet has been sold to a Dubai-based company. The Times claims the news may cause an uproar after the airline company assured enthusiast years ago that the aircraft will be put on display at London’s Heathrow airport.

BA’s fleet of seven Concordes was launched 40 years ago, on April 9, 1969; however, the planes were shelved in 2003 after falling profits and technical issues. Six of the aircrafts were given to museums; the seventh, Alpha Bravo, was housed at BA’s engineering base at Heathrow.

If the reports are true, then the aircraft will be disassembled and shipped to Dubai, where another of Britain’s national treasures sits: the QE2.

After 40 years at sea, luxury liner QE2 (short for Queen Elizabeth II) docked in Dubai permanently in November 2008. QE2′s previous owner, shipping company Cunard, sold the ship to Dubai World for approximately $100 million; her new owners promised to transform the ship into a luxury hotel, with dozens of rooms, numerous restaurants, a performance theater and a spa.

BA was not available for comment.