2 FFC “CONCORDE Mitterrand Presidential Flight TOKYO Summit 1986" Captain signed

CONCORDE Presidential Flight - Official trip of Mr François MITTERRAND, President of the French Republic to the Tokyo G7 Summit (4-7 May 1986)

Under pressure from the Americans, the Concorde was banned from flying in Japan and it was with the agreement of the Japanese that the Concorde flights were classified as "test flights". It was to shorten travel times between the airport and the Conference Center that the two Concordes landed at Tokyo Haneda airport.

Two Concordes made the trip:

- the F-BVFB, for the President of the French Republic

- the F-BVFA, for the Prime Minister, this aircraft must also serve as a replacement aircraft for the President of the French Republic.

Protocolarily, it was the Prime Minister's F-BVFA which landed first, so that Mr. Jacques CHIRAC could welcome Mr. François MITTERRAND.

The two Concordes made a technical stop in Novosibirsk (USSR) to refuel. This route was chosen because it allowed supersonic travel over Siberia. (source: www.lesvolsdeconcorde.com)