Natilus, a U.S.-based aerospace manufacturer developing blended-wing-body passenger and cargo aircraft, has entered the Indian market through a partnership with SpiceJet Limited and the establishment of a wholly owned local subsidiary in Mumbai. The move marks Natilus’s first formal operational presence in India and aligns with its plans to certify and commercialise its Horizon passenger aircraft in the country.
The company will work with SpiceJet to support the certification of the Horizon aircraft with India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Natilus is currently pursuing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 25 certification for the aircraft in the United States and is engaging with Indian regulators in parallel. Subject to certification, SpiceJet plans to purchase up to 100 aircraft.
As part of its market entry strategy, Natilus has incorporated Natilus India, which will be headquartered in Mumbai and led by Ravi Bhatia as regional director. The subsidiary will be responsible for in-country operations, regulatory coordination, and engagement with partners across the Indian aviation and manufacturing ecosystem.
Horizon is a blended-wing-body passenger aircraft designed for high-density operations and compatibility with existing airport infrastructure. The aircraft is configured to seat up to 240 passengers. Natilus states that the aerodynamic design is intended to reduce fuel consumption by 30 percent, carbon emissions by 50 percent, and overall operating costs by up to 50 percent, while providing approximately 40 percent more interior space compared with conventional designs.
The company sees India as a priority growth market amid rising domestic air travel demand. Natilus cited industry projections indicating that Indian airlines may require more than 2,200 new aircraft by 2040 to meet passenger growth. The Indian subsidiary is expected to play a role not only in aircraft certification and customer engagement, but also in evaluating opportunities to source manufactured components from India.
SpiceJet said the aircraft could align with its longer-term fleet requirements once certified. “In line with our commitment to encouraging innovation and sustainability in aviation, SpiceJet is proud to support Natilus in developing this next-generation aircraft,” said Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director of SpiceJet. He added that the aircraft’s efficiency and infrastructure compatibility could make it suitable for the airline’s future operations.
Natilus plans to introduce its first commercial cargo aircraft, Kona, before the end of the decade, with the Horizon passenger aircraft expected to enter service in the early 2030s. The company said it currently has a commercial order book of more than 570 aircraft globally.
Founded in 2016, Natilus develops blended-wing-body aircraft for passenger and cargo applications. SpiceJet is an Indian airline operating Boeing 737 and Q400 aircraft, with a focus on domestic and regional connectivity.