SpiceJet Partners with Natilus - The Airplane of the Future

Natilus, a U.S. aerospace manufacturer of blended-wing-body (BWB) aircraft founded in 2016, announced that it has entered the Indian market in partnership with SpiceJet.

Partnership Overview
- SpiceJet has partnered with Natilus, a U.S. aerospace manufacturer specializing in blended-wing-body (BWB) aircraft.
- Natilus has established a new subsidiary, Natilus India, headquartered in Mumbai and led by Ravi Bhatia as Regional Director.
- SpiceJet will be the first Indian customer for Natilus’s passenger aircraft, HORIZON, and has committed to purchasing 100 aircraft once certified.

Market Context
- India’s domestic air travel market is booming, with 10.2% year-over-year growth.
- By 2040, carriers in India are expected to need over 2,200 new planes to meet demand.
- Natilus sees India as a key market for expansion and is exploring sourcing manufactured parts locally.

Aircraft Innovation – HORIZON
- Capacity: 240 passengers in a high-density configuration.
- Efficiency Gains:
- 40% more interior space
- 30% lower fuel costs
- 50% less carbon emissions
- 50% lower operational costs
- Designed to work with existing airport infrastructure, making adoption easier for airlines.

Certification & Timeline
- Natilus is pursuing FAA Part 25 certification and working with India’s DGCA for approval.
- Following the debut of its cargo aircraft KONA later this decade, HORIZON is expected to enter the market in the early 2030s.

Strategic Significance
- SpiceJet Chairman Ajay Singh emphasized the airline’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, calling HORIZON a strong fit for their future fleet.
- Natilus already has a commercial order book of 570+ aircraft valued at $8.7 billion, showing strong global interest.

This partnership is a major milestone: it positions India at the forefront of adopting futuristic aircraft technology while aligning with sustainability goals.