A study by the International Council on Clean Transportation has warned that supersonic passenger flights were unlikely to comply with existing fuel efficiency, pollution and noise standards.
The US is seeking looser standards for ultra-fast jets while European nations are pressing for tougher rules, including on noise. But Mr Scholl rejected concerns that the new breed of aircraft would blow a hole in air and noise pollution targets. Concorde was a gas guzzler, he said. Since then there has been huge progress in engine design and materials.
Supersonic jets don't need to be louder than other jets; Concorde was 1960s technology. Boom Supersonic's jet was not a step backwards environmentally, Mr Scholl added, as the fuel burn per passenger would be comparable with existing business class seats.
The jets would travel for 90-95 per cent of their routes over sea, he said, to avoid noise restrictions imposed on supersonic jets flying over land. Comparing the pace of change in the supersonic aviation sector to developments in electric car technology, he predicted huge advances that would enable more people to fly faster for cheaper.
