Nolinor Aviation to Acquire Natilus Blended Wing Body Cargo Aircraft
- Joe Breitfeller
- Feb 4
- 2 min read
Nolinor Aviation has today announced their intention to acquire several next-generation blended wing body (BWB) 'Kona' cargo aircraft from San Diego-based airframer Natilus.

On Tuesday (February 4, 2025), Nolinor Aviation announced that they will acquire several next-generation blended wing body (BWB) cargo aircraft from San Diego-based Natilus. The agreement secures production positions for several Natilus ‘Kona’ aircraft, and innovative regional cargo aircraft currently in development, and designed to operate specifically on gravel and unpaved runways. Developed in accordance with U.S. Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) and Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs), Kona Promises to transform cargo air travel with its advanced design and capabilities.
In Tuesday’s announcement, Nolinor Aviation’s President, Marco Prud’Homme, said,
“This partnership marks a key milestone in our commitment to innovation and operational excellence. During our visit to Natilus’ headquarters in San Diego last fall, we were impressed by their revolutionary approach to aircraft design and their commitment to addressing the unique challenges of the cargo industry. The Kona’s ability to operate on gravel runways aligns perfectly with our operations, and we look forward to leveraging its potential to better serve our customers in Canada and beyond.”
Also commenting on the new aircraft commitment, Natilus’ CEO, Aleksey Matyushev, added,
“We are honored to partner with Nolinor Aviation, a company recognized for its leadership in remote and hard-to-reach regions. The Kona cargo aircraft is designed to redefine air cargo transportation through its efficiency, versatility and innovative features. This agreement demonstrates how visionary operators like Nolinor are shaping the future of aviation.”

Kona features an advanced turboprop configuration, and offers a payload capacity of 3.8 metric tons. The aircraft can also operate on unpaved runways as short as 800 meters. Kona’s efficient design reduces fuel consumption by 30 percent compared to conventional aircraft and offers a range of 900 nautical miles, making it ideal for remote and isolated regions.

Founded in 1992, Nolinor Aviation is Canada’s largest airline offering specialized commercial charter flights. The company’s OWG division was founded in 2020 and offers scheduled service to select Caribbean destinations. Nolinor operates an all-Boeing fleet of Boeing 737-200s, 737-300s, 737-400s and 737-800s.
Source: Nolinor Aviation