Concorde's unforgettable landing in Kenya became a historic moment for aviation fans across Africa
Published on Dec 05, 2025 at 10:39 PM (UTC+4)
by Daisy Edwards
Last updated on Dec 05, 2025 at 2:40 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
Concorde’s unforgettable landing in Kenya became a historic moment for aviation fans across Africa, marking one of the most remarkable test flights in history.
The supersonic jet landed at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in 1975 as part of its global evaluation campaign.
Engineers needed real performance data in hot and high-altitude conditions to work out whether Concorde was feasible in such extreme weather.
For the thousands of people who gathered to watch, the appearance of the world’s fastest supersonic passenger jet felt like witnessing the future arriving on some random day.
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Concorde’s historic landing in Kenya
The 1975 flight was designed to test the iconic supersonic airplane, Concorde, in an environment far more challenging than its usual routes.
Nairobi’s elevation and heat made it an ideal location for engineers from the British Aircraft Corporation and Aérospatiale to study how the aircraft performed during takeoff, landing, and high-speed maneuvers.
Test pilots ran several altitude and acceleration tests, pushing the jet to gather data that would influence its certification process in the future.
The visit also showed off the Concorde to an audience that rarely had the chance to experience advanced aerospace tech up close.
Crowds gathered at the airport to watch the sleek supersonic plane appear over the horizon, and for many in attendance, the sight was a moment that would stay with them forever.
African aviation fans will never forget the day it happened
At the time of Concorde’s retirement in 2003, it had solidified its position as an icon of global speed and innovation.
Its ability to fly at Mach 2 and cross the Atlantic in three and a half hours set a target that modern commercial aviation has yet to match.
Yet, among its many stops around the world, the Nairobi visit stands out as a defining chapter in Africa’s aviation story.
It symbolized progress, ambition, and the continent’s willingness to explore cutting-edge aerospace research and development.
The day the Concorde touched down in Kenya remains a source of excitement and pride for fans of aviation across Africa, another moment in which the Concorde made history simply by landing.
Key milestones in Concorde’s supersonic story
1956: UK and France begin discussions for a supersonic passenger aircraft
1962: Official Anglo-French treaty signed to develop Concorde
1969: First Concorde prototype takes flight in Toulouse
1973: Concorde hits Mach 2 for the first time during testing
1976: First commercial flights launched with British Airways and Air France
1985: Concorde used for transatlantic VIP trips and iconic charters
1996: Fastest transatlantic crossing set – New York to London in 2h 52m
2003: Final commercial Concorde flight marks the end of supersonic travel
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Daisy Edwards is a Content Writer at supercarblondie.com. Daisy has more than five years’ experience as a qualified journalist, having graduated with a History and Journalism degree from Goldsmiths, University of London and a dissertation in vintage electric vehicles. Daisy specializes in writing about cars, EVs, tech and luxury lifestyle. When she's not writing, she's at a country music concert or working on one of her many unfinished craft projects.
