Kuehne+Nagel, one of the world’s leading logistics providers, and Natilus, the manufacturer of revolutionary blended-wing-body (BWB) aircraft, have announced a strategic partnership aimed at exploring the environmental, economic, and operational impacts of integrating Natilus’s aircraft into commercial air logistics operations, the logistics company stated in a press release.
Leveraging its expertise in the air logistics industry, Kuehne+Nagel will collaborate with Natilus to analyze the operational feasibility of implementing these aircraft into existing systems. The research will focus on route modeling, environmental impact assessments, operational cost analysis, and cooperation with key stakeholders in the aviation industry.
Natilus, as a company commercializing the blended-wing-body design, is developing a series of aircraft that reduce fuel consumption by 30% while increasing cargo capacity by 40%. Through this partnership, Kuehne+Nagel and Natilus will jointly analyze how these aircraft can contribute to greater logistics efficiency, improved services, and reduced emissions in cargo transport.
Kuehne+Nagel actively seeks opportunities to implement more sustainable business practices for its customers. As a logistics partner to 400,000 customers worldwide, the company explores innovative solutions, such as new aircraft designs, to minimize the environmental and economic impact of air cargo operations.
“At Kuehne+Nagel, we consistently lead efforts toward more sustainable air cargo transport, and this partnership with Natilus is another example of how we are exploring new technologies for more environmentally friendly and cost-effective solutions in air transport,” said Holger Ketz, Senior Vice President of Network and Carrier Management in Air Logistics at Kuehne+Nagel.
As part of the partnership, Kuehne+Nagel and Natilus will work with selected airlines to demonstrate the benefits of integrating blended-wing-body aircraft into existing fleets, along with a comprehensive assessment of potential CO2 emission reductions.
“Our partnership with Kuehne+Nagel is a crucial step in helping the industry better understand the advantages of blended-wing-body aircraft, which will set an example for other logistics companies in the coming decade,” said Aleksey Matyushev, Co-Founder and CEO of Natilus. “We look forward to collaborating with Kuehne+Nagel and integrating our aircraft series into their premier global logistics network to redefine efficiency and sustainability in cargo transport.”
