Revolutionary new aircraft with seamlessly blended wings and body acquired by a Canadian airline
- Canadian airline Nolina is purchasing Natilus’s radical Kona aircraft
- The blended-wing plane should increase efficiency and cargo capacity
- Natilus is also developing a new jet airliner called the Horizon
Published on Feb 07, 2025 at 3:26 PM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Feb 10, 2025 at 11:56 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
Canadian airliner Nolinor Aviation has signed an agreement to purchase the Kona, a radical new aircraft developed by American company Natilus.
The Kona is a radical ‘blended-wing body’ aircraft, meaning that the wings blend into the body, which helps increase aerodynamic efficiency.
Nautilus has successfully flown a scaled-down demonstrator of the Kona and is now moving on with the construction of a full-size prototype.
If their plans come to fruition, the Kona could be in service by the early 2030s.
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The Natilus Kona’s design lends itself to aerodynamic efficiency
The Kona, primarily designed as a cargo aircraft, features a unique blended-wing body (BWB) design.
The idea is to make the aircraft as aerodynamic as possible, which will improve its efficiency and increase Kona’s payload capacity.
According to some reports, its cargo space could increase by 40 percent compared to conventional aircraft, and fuel consumption could be reduced by up to 30 percent.
Even more radical is the fact that the Kona will be able to fly autonomously.
Operators will monitor the jets during their flights and have the ability to control the Kona remotely if necessary.
The company is also developing the Horizon, a passenger version of the Kona designed to rival the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 MAX.
Nolinor Aviation is expanding its fleet with the Kona
Currently, Canadian airline Nolinor Aviation operates a fleet of Boeing 737s, ranging from some earlier 737-200s up to more recent 737-800s.
The airline flies a mixture of passenger and cargo traffic, so the Kona and Horizon could slot nicely into its existing fleet.
Nautilus said Nolinor wasn’t the only customer it had for its radical aircraft.
In late 2023, the company said it already had a purchase agreement for more than 460 Horizons and Konas, equating to an order backlog worth up to $6.8 billion.
Both aircraft will have a range of up to 3,500 nautical miles.
The Kona cargo aircraft will be powered by highly advanced turboprop technology.
The Horizon, meanwhile, will utilize jet engines, likely from American company Pratt & Whitney.
With a growing focus on efficiency and sustainability in commercial aviation, Natilus aircraft could prove pivotal for the future of air travel.
