No surprise that the bearded cardigan would try to get max publicity from the demise of Concorde, but let's cut through the fog of
PR here:
Virgin can't operate Concorde for several reasons:
1-To set up the maintenance and training operation would probably cost what V.At. is worth (and certainly RB's share)
2-Without AF running it the (unshared) cost of paying for manufacturer's support are impossibly high (one reason why BA couldn't go it alone).
3-Airbus (i.e. Aerospatiale and BAE) would not support any other airline operating it. They are on record as saying so. Quite simply the costs of setting up and the learning curve are impossibly steep.
Before the mudslinging starts: I would be delighted to see the old girl stay in the air, even in VS livery, but it just ain't ever gonna happen, and if Sir RB isn't careful someone will call his bluff and he will find himself in worlds of merde.
It's heartbreaking, but she's going.
PS - we keep seeing this drivel that BA paid £1 for them. It's rubbish. When BA took them on it paid the government many 10's of millions for the operation.