Natilus and MONTE announce partnership

Natilus, a U.S. aerospace company developing next-generation blended-wing-body aircraft, has announced a partnership with MONTE Aircraft Leasing, a zero-emissions regional turboprop aircraft lessor.

MONTE will provide leasing and financing options for the Kona aircraft to Natilus customers, making the path towards sustainable aviation more attainable, according to the press release from Natilus.

This collaboration between Natilus and MONTE will accelerate the adoption of eco-friendly air transportation solutions while meeting the increasing demand for efficient cargo transport services.

“We are thrilled to partner with MONTE to make our Kona aircraft more accessible to customers,” said Aleksey Matyushev, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder, Natilus. “This collaboration represents a significant step forward in our mission to revolutionise the cargo transport industry with innovative, environmentally friendly solutions.”

The Kona aircraft, developed by Natilus, will be the first commercially available aircraft from the company, leveraging the superior blended-wing-body design and providing more than double the cargo volume compared to traditional airplanes of similar size.

The Natilus Kona is more efficient than tube-and-wing aircraft, enabling customers to reduce their operating costs by more than half. The aircraft is also suited for hydrogen-electric propulsion, providing a clear path to a zero-emission future in aviation, the release added.

“The Kona is a unique aircraft, which has been developed specifically to optimise air cargo operations,” said Timothy Eyre, Chief Operating Officer, MONTE. “We are delighted to partner with the Natilus team to support the Kona aircraft and the regional cargo market. The opportunity to integrate hydrogen-electric propulsion systems into the aircraft is strongly aligned with our strategy to decarbonise regional aviation.”