Swiss forwarding and logistics company Kuehne+Nagel is partnering with aerospace firm Natilus to develop a blended-wing-body freighter aircraft.
The San Diego-based company says that the design could reduce fuel consumption by 30% and increase payload by 40%.
The companies will assess how blended-wing-body aircraft will operate within existing fleets and reduce carbon emissions in freight forwarding. Kuehne+Nagel will focus on route modelling, environmental impact assessment, operational cost analysis and engagement with the aviation industry.
The new aircraft is one of a number of initiatives that it is pursuing to reduce the environmental and economic impact of air freight.
Natilus co-founder and chief executive, Aleksey Matyushev, said: “Our partnership with Kuehne+Nagel is a meaningful step in helping the industry better understand the powerful advantages of blended-wing-body aircraft, which will become a blueprint for other logistics companies over the next decade.
“We look forward to collaborating with Kuehne+Nagel and integrating our family of blended-wing-body aircraft into its world-class global logistics network to redefine efficiency and sustainability in freight.”