Amphibian Aerospace Industries Shifts Albatross 2.0 Manufacturing to United States from Northern Territory

Amphibian Aerospace Industries (AAI) planned to manufacture the Albatross 2.0, a modern amphibious aircraft based on a 1960s design capable of landing on sea and snow, in Australia. Initial plans targeted the New South Wales Central Coast in 2016, but shifted to Darwin, Northern Territory, by 2021.

The project aimed to produce aircraft with surveillance and defense capabilities, eliminating the need for runways.

In 2021, the Northern Territory Labor government under Chief Minister Michael Gunner invested $3 million in equity in AAI and approved a $7 million loan to support the project. The investment was intended to create hundreds of jobs and inject millions into the Northern Territory economy.

AAI planned to obtain Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) certification within 18 months and commence production in Darwin by 2025, with the first aircraft completed by 2026.

In 2022, investor Steve Baxter purchased the first Albatross 2.0 aircraft for US$20 million. AAI used part of the government loan to acquire a hangar at Darwin Airport, but the hangar was later sold, and the loan was repaid in full with interest to the Northern Territory government. The equity investment of $3 million remains in place.

The current Country Liberal Party government in the Northern Territory stated that AAI advised of challenges in obtaining CASA regulatory approvals, leading to a decision to conduct initial manufacturing operations in the United States. A spokesperson for CASA reported that AAI did not formally apply for any regulatory approval and had no contact with the authority since 2023.

“The project is still taking off and AAI looks forward to seeing an Albatross 2.0 land in Darwin Harbour in the future.”