As global electrification drives substantial growth in mining activities across northern Canada, Nolinor is experiencing an increase in flight demand for the transportation of workers, equipment and supplies in its key service regions. Operating amid limited road infrastructure and challenging weather conditions, Nolinor serves as a lifeline to remote regions in rural Canada, transporting essentials and equipment during the summer months.
Nolinor is the world's largest operator of the B737-200 aircraft, which are equipped to land on dirt, gravel, or ice runways. The B737-200 allows for greater cargo capacity and requires fewer trips to transport essential cargo – making it particularly suited for deliveries to the northern regions. To maintain its competitive edge in the market, Nolinor is investing in fleet expansion and looking for new airframe designs – such as the blended-wing body – to meet its future needs.
"This partnership marks a pivotal step in our commitment to innovation and operational excellence," said Marco Prud'Homme, President of Nolinor Aviation. "During our visit to Natilus's head office in San Diego last fall, we were impressed by their groundbreaking approach to aircraft design and their dedication to addressing the unique challenges of the cargo industry. The KONA's gravel runway capability is a perfect match for our operations, and we are eager to leverage its potential to better serve our customers across Canada and beyond."
The first to commercialize the blended-wing-body design for commercial freight operations, Natilus is developing a family of sustainable blended-wing-body (BWB) aircraft designed to unlock improved aviation economics by reducing fuel consumption by 30% while increasing payload capability by 40%. Like the B737-200, Natilus's regional cargo aircraft, the KONA, can take off and land in challenging environments, including unpaved, shorter gravel runways typically found in northern Canada. The KONA also offers 50% lower operating costs when compared to similarly sized tube-and-wing aircraft.
"For isolated communities in northern Canada, air freight serves as a lifeline to access essential goods and services and enables connectivity to other territories," said Aleksey Matyushev, CEO and Co-Founder of Natilus. "As Nolinor continues to evolve its specialized air freight service for passenger and cargo transit, Natilus is committed to supporting their efforts to improve logistics efficiency and reduce the carbon emissions of their fleet operations."
Natilus is expected to begin production of KONA before the end of the decade, followed by its passenger aircraft, the Horizon, in the early 2030s.
About Nolinor Aviation
Founded in 1992, Nolinor Aviation is a leading provider of specialized commercial charter flights. The airline operates across Canada, the United States, and various international destinations. Nolinor Aviation is recognized for its commitment to safety in both its equipment and services. As a private company, Nolinor Aviation (IATA code N5) is wholly owned by the Prud'homme family trust. The company has established a strong presence in the charter flight sector, offering tailored services to meet diverse transportation needs. For additional information about Nolinor Aviation and its services, please visit www.nolinor.com. Updates and news can also be found by following @nolinor_aviation on Instagram.
About Natilus
Natilus is a San Diego-based company developing a family of hyper-efficient blended-wing-body (BWB) aircraft designed to transport people and cargo more sustainably and efficiently than ever before. Natilus's BWB aircraft unlocks improved aviation economics by reducing fuel consumption by 30% while increasing payload capability by 40%. Founded in 2016, the Natilus team is comprised of innovators from General Atomics, Northrop Grumman, Skunkworks, SpaceX and Piper Aircraft. Learn more at natilus.co.
SOURCE Natilus
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