Low-fare Indian airline SpiceJet has formed a partnership with Natilus, a developer of a blended-wing-body (BWB) aircraft named HORIZON, to assist the aircraft in its certification journey in India. Upon certification, the airline has committed to purchasing 100 of the aircraft.
HORIZON has a 240-passenger capacity and claims to reduce fuel costs by 30%, carbon emissions by 50%, and operational costs by 50% for operators like SpiceJet. Natilus anticipates entry-into-service for HORIZON in the early 2030s, while KONA, its cargo aircraft, is expected to enter by 2030.
“In line with our commitment to encouraging innovation and sustainability in aviation, SpiceJet is proud to support Natilus in developing this next-generation aircraft,” said Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet. “Once certified, the HORIZON, with its efficiency and compatibility with existing airport infrastructure, could be a strong fit for our future fleet.”
Despite being based in the United States, Natilus is focusing on India due to the increasing demand for air travel in the country, with reports estimating that carriers will require over 2,200 new aircraft by 2040 to meet that demand. Additionally, the company has established a subsidiary called Natilus India in Mumbai to maintain a regional presence.
“As an airline at the forefront of embracing technological innovation, SpiceJet is the ideal customer for HORIZON as we look to meet the needs of India’s underserved market,” commented Aleksey Matyushev, Chief Executive Officer at Natilus. “With our new subsidiary, we look forward to exploring partnerships with premier Indian OEMs and bringing innovative new aircraft to valued customers like SpiceJet.”
Photo: Natilus
