Anicet Mbida 06:55, January 28, 2022

Every day, Anicet Mbida makes us discover an innovation that could well change the way we consume.

This Friday, he is interested in the American startup, Boom Supersonic.

It has just launched the construction of the factory which will make it possible to manufacture the Overture, a new supersonic aircraft.

Air transport is experiencing one of its worst crises in years.

However, this does not seem to slow down certain developments.

New supersonic aircraft should soon appear.

We thought the supersonic dead and buried since the end of the Concorde.

Well no: an American startup, Boom Supersonic, has just launched the construction of the factory that will manufacture the Overture.

It is an almost clone of the Concorde.

It is almost the same size, but it will go a little slower (1.7 times the speed of sound against 2.2 for its elder).

This will still allow him to do Paris-New York in 3.5 hours instead of 7 hours today.

The company already has nearly 80 firm orders, proof that the supersonic is of more interest than ever.

The Concorde had only been produced in 20 copies.

But it was not profitable?

The Concorde was a money pit?

Yes, it's true.

But the Concorde dates back to the 1970s. Since then, enormous progress has been made in fuel consumption, materials and engines.

This greatly reduces operating costs.

As a result, the price of tickets should be equivalent, or even a little cheaper, than those of a classic business class.

It will remain overpriced: close to €5,000 for a Paris New York.

But on the Concorde, we were well over €8,000.

Finally, Boom announces carbon neutrality since it relies exclusively on synthetic or biosourced fuels.

This should help with the "Flyg Skam" the shame of flying.

And for noise?

It was also a reproach made to the Concorde: the bang when it passes the sound barrier.

That's even why we ended up banning him from flying at supersonic speed inland.

It will be the same with Boom.

He will have to wait to be over the ocean to put full throttle.

This risks limiting its operation only to lines that pass over the sea.

Nevertheless, the supersonic is well on its way to making a comeback.

A prototype is already flying.

The first series should leave the factory in 2024. Then there will be a certification phase.

And commercial flights could start as early as 2029.