double_barrel Airline economics is a very complex equation with many independent variables, and a number of different paths to profitability (and many more leading to a loss). Where even skilled labor is relatively cheap, it may well be a better option to take an old airframe with a low acquisition cost and accept the associated higher maintenance requirement. One factor to consider is that older aircraft are less reliant on electronics which is more difficult (and expensive) to troubleshoot and repair. In Africa I much prefer a battered 727 to a brand new 'bus for this reason. It is also a matter of having experienced crew and mechanics for the type available in numbers. One Australian airline bought up all remaining serviceable F70-s and F-100s (and parts) from around the world, and they have a solid profitable business operating them. Just because a type is no longer economical in one part of the world does not mean that it cannot be operated safely and profitably somewhere else under a different business model and operating environment. Whether it will be is an altogether different story.