Nolinor Aviation Buys Natilus Kona BWB Cargo Jets
Canadian carrier Nolinor Aviation has secured multiple production slots to acquire the innovative Kona blended-wing-body (BWB) cargo aircraft from California-based startup Natilus. This strategic decision reflects the airline’s focus on expanding its operations in remote regions while benefiting from next-generation aircraft technology.
Founded by aerospace entrepreneur Aleksey Matyushev, Natilus has been developing the Kona to address pressing industry demands for greater operational efficiency and reduced environmental impact. Thanks to its blended-wing-body design, the Kona is expected to carry up to 3.8 metric tons of cargo over distances of 900 nautical miles. Beyond its distinctive shape, the aircraft promises up to 50% in operating cost savings and a 30% reduction in fuel consumption compared to similar cargo aircraft.
One of the Kona’s most crucial features for Nolinor’s needs is the high-mounted engine placement on the top rear side of the fuselage. According to Nolinor’s Chairman, Marco Prud’homme, this design reduces the risk of debris ingestion during takeoffs and landings, especially on the unpaved and gravel runways the airline frequently encounters in Canada’s far north. Protecting engines from loose gravel is a pivotal concern for Nolinor, which uses a fleet of Boeing 737-200s equipped for operations on gravel or ice runways. This specialized capability allows the airline to serve mining and energy customers in remote outposts under long-term contracts.
While the 737-200 remains a mainstay for Nolinor, Prud’homme envisions the Kona as a complementary asset rather than a direct replacement. The new aircraft’s cargo capacity, operational efficiency, and short-runway performance could enable Nolinor to expand into additional locations previously restricted by infrastructure limitations. The Kona’s potential to access shorter runways while maintaining higher payload capacity aligns well with the airline’s strategy of growing its remote operations portfolio.
Though the Kona is still in development, Prud’homme expresses confidence in the aircraft’s timeline, noting it could enter service by the end of this decade. Nolinor is not a publicly traded company, allowing it to plan for the long term without the immediate pressure of shareholder returns. While the exact number of Konas on order remains undisclosed, Prud’homme admits, “We’ll get less Konas than we would like!”—indicating significant interest in the design and perhaps limited early availability.
Natilus, headquartered in San Diego, has already tested a sub-scale Kona model in flight. In October 2024, the company also revealed plans for a larger blended-wing-body airliner called “Horizon,” aimed at carrying approximately 200 passengers on long-haul routes. These developments underscore Natilus’s broader goal of transforming both cargo and passenger aviation through BWB technology.
As global air cargo demand continues to rise, the Nolinor–Natilus partnership highlights the industry’s eagerness to adopt fuel-efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally conscious aircraft. By harnessing the Kona’s unique fuselage design and elevated engine placement, Nolinor stands poised to deliver enhanced service to Canada’s northernmost communities while simultaneously reducing its operational footprint. Once certified and operational, the Kona may reshape regional cargo transportation—particularly for carriers like Nolinor Aviation that routinely face the challenges of extreme climates and remote runways.
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