THE LAST Concorde ever to fly has safely arrived in its new home, a brand new aerospace museum in South Gloucestershire.

The iconic supersonic jet, which has been kept on Filton Airfield was carefully towed on Tuesday by British Airways and Airbus engineers to its purpose built hangar in Aerospace Bristol, the new £19m museum that launches this summer.

British Airways Concorde Alpha Foxtrot – also known as 216 – took its maiden flight in April 1977, serving for 24 years before taking its historic final trip around Bristol in November 2003, coming in to land at Filton.

Iain Gray, chairman of Aerospace Bristol, said: “We couldn’t be more delighted to welcome Concorde 216 into her new purpose-built home at Aerospace Bristol.

“With such enthusiasm for Concorde in this country, and particularly in Bristol where she was designed, built and landed for the final time, it is only fitting that this magnificent aircraft should have a permanent home at Filton.

“I would like to thank all of our donors for helping to make Aerospace Bristol a reality and look forward to welcoming our first visitors on board this summer.”

Towing the plane, which will be the centrepiece of the museum, up a ramp into the hangar and winched into its exhibition position was a carefully planned task, with less than a metre between each wing tip and the building.

In order to keep it in top condition while it has been kept outside for the past 13 years, the Concorde has been carefully looked after by Airbus staff.

Mark Stewart, Airbus general manager and HR director, said: “After 13 years of caring for the aircraft we are pleased to deliver her to Aerospace Bristol so that people can visit and admire her for years to come.”

David Hart, British Airways’ head of fleet planning added: “This move will allow thousands more people to be inspired by her sleek, innovative design and supersonic statistics.”