Lilium Sells 100 eVTOLs To Saudia Group Among Numerous Moves

Recently, we reported on Embraer’s Eve Air Mobility revealing a full-scale eVTOL prototype among other moves made by the company which included partnerships and investments.

Now, leading electric aircraft manufacturer and pioneer in Regional Air Mobility (RAM) Lilium N.V. has made a range of announcements centered around similar themes.

However, the standout announcement in this case is a major sales agreement with the Saudia Group, one of the largest aviation conglomerates in the MENA region.

So, let’s explore what benefits the agreement between the two organizations will bring for each other!

What Is The Lilium And Saudia Group Sales Agreement About?

Through a news release published on its website, Lilium announced that it had signed a binding sale agreement with Saudia Group for 50 Lilium Jets.
The agreement comes with an option to purchase 50 more Lilium Jets.
The sales agreement follows a Memorandum of Understanding that was signed between the two organizations in October 2022.
It’s the largest agreement of its kind in the MENA region and represents a milestone of being “the largest reported firm order of eVTOL aircraft by an airline that plans to operate the aircraft.”
It also includes a schedule of deposit and pre-delivery payments, timeline of future deliveries, guarantees on aircraft performance and provisions on spare parts, maintenance and repairs.
Furthermore, the two organizations also plan to sign an agreement for Lilium’s POWER-ON, for extended services pertaining to daily operations, fleet maintenance and support services.
Saudia Group will also provide Lilium with support in its certification process with the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Saudi Arabia’s aviation regulatory agency.
This agreement adds to existing ones that include 106 firm orders and reservations, 76 options and roughly 600 aircraft under MOU.

TechDogs-"A Rendered Image Of A Lilium Jet With The Logos Of Lilium And Saudia Group As Used In The Announcement"

Source

What Did Lilium And Saudia Group Executives Say?

Klaus Roewe, CEO of Lilium, said, “We are proud of our partnership with a market leading airline such as Saudia. And we are thrilled to be pioneering progress in the eVTOL industry as the eVTOL manufacturer with the largest reported firm purchase order from an international airline that plans to operate the aircraft.”
[Contd.] “The Middle East is a priority for Lilium, and Saudi Arabia will be a very large and exciting market for electric, high-speed regional air mobility. Our partnership will combine Saudia Group’s significant market knowledge with our unique eVTOL technology to transform premium class air travel in the GCC region.”
H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, said, “Saudia Group is proud to pioneer the MENA region as the first company to acquire all-electric eVTOL jets, which reflects our commitment to continuously reducing our carbon footprint and becoming an industry leader in regional electric aviation.”
[Contd.] “We recognize the critical role that Lilium is positioned to play in enabling us to deliver a sustainable premium aviation experience and transport our guests even closer to their destination.”

TechDogs-"A Rendered Image Of A Lilium Jet"

Source

What Else Is Lilium Doing?

A month ago, Lilium revealed that it had successfully completed the first series of tests of its electric jet propulsion system. The aim was to evaluate the aerodynamics and electrical performance of the engine.
This test marked the first time the electric engines were taken up to maximum thrust, which eventually demonstrated the expected level of performance and reliability.
Soon after, the company confirmed it was on track to deliver its first set of eVTOLs to customers in 2026.
Lilium also said it was building the first two aircraft at its production facility in Gauting, Germany.
This was followed by an announcement of the next phase of its “POWER-ON” Aftermarket Services portfolio, which would provide a suite of digital solutions to ensure efficient and seamless operation of the Lilium Jet.
Following the Saudia Group deal, the Saudi Arabian General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and Lilium signed an MoU to develop and implement the required regulations for eVTOL operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia beginning in 2026.
Next came an MoU signed between Lilium, SEA (the operator of Milan’s airports) and Skyports Infrastructure (a leader in vertiport infrastructure for the Advanced Air Mobility industry) that would develop a passenger eVTOL network in the Lombardy region in Italy.
Lilium then announced a partnership with Groupe ADP, which operates and develops 23 airports around the globe, to collaborate on infrastructures for the Lilium Jet in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Do you think these moves will help Lilium assume a commanding position in the eVTOL industry? Do you think competitors should make similar partnerships, investments and product reveals?

Let us know in the comments below!

First published on Fri, Jul 26, 2024

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