Why Australia is returning to a 70-year-old seaplane

Airlines across the world tend to capitalize on the latest high-tech aircraft to squeeze profit in a heavily contested market.

However, away from the largest airports and the most-flown routes, old designs dating back to early Cold War era are somewhat commonplace. Many leading militaries (including the US, China and Russia) fly strategic bombers created or even built in the 1950s. In the realm of General aviation, aircraft designed during the same period, such as the ever-present Cessna 172, are the norm.

Old designs are often prized for their reliability, ruggedness and low cost. This is the reason why many countries with underdeveloped infrastructure and harsh climates still operate scores of 1940s vintage Douglas DC-3s.