The Saudia Group has placed an industry-leading order of up to 100 Lilium Jets, the largest commitment in the eVTOL sector by an airline operator, with a firm order of 50 units augmented by options for 50 more.
The Saudia Group has placed an industry-leading order of up to 100 Lilium Jets, the largest commitment in the eVTOL sector by an airline operator, with a firm order of 50 units augmented by options for 50 more.
The first units are expected to be delivered in 2026, while the agreement also encompasses a schedule of deposit and pre-delivery payments, a timeline of future deliveries, guarantees on aircraft performance, and provisions of spare parts, maintenance and repairs.
The agreement – which builds upon a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the parties of October 2022 – “marks the largest of its kind in the MENA region and represents an important industry milestone as the largest reported firm order of eVTOL aircraft by an airline that plans to operate the aircraft,” explained Lilium.
“Saudia Group is proud to pioneer the MENA region as the first company to acquire all-electric eVTOL jets,” commented H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, director general of Saudia Group. “This agreement amplified our commitment to the Saudi Vision 2030 and is the result of a collaborative effort… to explore how we can best bring eVTOLs to the skies of Saudi Arabia”.
When in service, operation of the six-passenger Lilium Jets will be managed and run by Saudia Private, a subsidiary of Saudia Group. Lilium adds that the enhanced connectivity offered by its aircraft will benefit business travellers, tourists, and Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages; travelling up to 175km at speeds of up to 250km per hour.
“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,” said Klaus Roewe, CEO of Lilium. “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”.
source/content: aerospaceglobalnews.com (headline edited)