Kuehne+Nagel and Natilus, an aerospace manufacturer of blended-wing-body aircraft, have partnered to study the environmental, economic, and operational impact of integrating Natilus’s hyper-efficient blended-wing-body aircraft into commercial air logistics operations.

Leveraging its knowledge of the air logistics industry, Kuehne+Nagel will collaborate with Natilus to explore the operational feasibility of implementing its aircraft within the industry, focusing on route modelling, environmental impact assessment, operational cost analysis, and engagement with the aviation industry.

The first to commercialise blended-wing-body design, Natilus is developing a family of aircraft designed to unlock improved aviation economics by reducing fuel consumption by 30% while increasing payload capability by 40%. 

Together, the companies will assess how blended-wing-body aircraft will operate within existing fleets to improve logistics efficiency, enhance service offerings, and reduce carbon emissions in freight forwarding.

Kuehne+Nagel is actively exploring opportunities to implement more sustainable business practices for its customers. The logistics partner for 400,000 customers worldwide, Kuehne+Nagel, is pursuing innovations, such as looking into new airframe designs to reduce the environmental as well as the economic impact of air freight.

“At Kuehne+Nagel, we have consistently led the way in making air freight logistics more sustainable, and this collaboration with Natilus is another example of how we continue to explore new technologies for more environmentally friendly and cost-effective air cargo solutions,” Holger Ketz, SVP Network and Carrier Management Air Logistics at Kuehne+Nagel, said.

The joint announcement said Kuehne+Nagel and Natilus will partner with select air freight carriers to demonstratethe  benefits of complementing existing fleets with blended-wing-body aircraft.

"Our partnership with Kuehne+Nagel is a meaningful step in helping the industry better understand the powerful advantages of blended-wing-body aircraft and become a blueprint for other logistics companies over the next decade,” Aleksey Matyushev, co-founder and CEO at Natilus. 

“We look forward to collaborating with Kuehne+Nagel and integrating our family of blended-wing-body aircraft into its world-class global logistics network to redefine efficiency and sustainability in freight.”