Saudi airline buys 50 electric air taxi jets from Lilium
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Saudia Group plans to take delivery of Lilium's first electric vertical jet in 2026. Photo: Courtesy of Lilium
Germany-based air taxi developer Lilium has a "firm" order from Saudi Arabian airline Saudia Group for 50 of its electric jets, with an option to buy 50 more.
Why it matters: The order, worth an estimated $450 million, is the largest commitment yet by an airline in the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) sector, the companies said.
- The Middle East is likely to be one of the first markets to deploy electric air taxis.
Driving the news: The purchase deal was signed at a ceremony on Thursday in Munich, about 18 months after the companies' initial agreement to collaborate on electric flight in Saudi Arabia.
- Saudia agreed to make pre-payments on the $9 million planes according to certain aircraft delivery and performance milestones.
- Lilium will also provide aircraft fleet maintenance and support services — including annual replacement of the planes' batteries, which represents a key source of recurring revenue, Lilium co-founder Daniel Wiegand tells Axios.
- The first aircraft is expected to be delivered in 2026.
Between the lines: Like other electric air taxi manufacturers, Lilium's aircraft takes off and lands vertically.
- But instead of electric propellers, Lilum's air taxi is propelled by an electric jet engine, which is more efficient in cruise mode.
- That enables it to fly longer-distance regional flights of an hour or two between cities — which represent a bigger, more lucrative market than urban air taxis, Wiegand says.
Zoom in: Saudia expects to use Lilium's electric jets to support Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages, and to offer faster access to key sports and entertainment events in Riyadh, for example.
- The Lilium Jet will feature a large, premium cabin with capacity for up to six passengers, plus luggage.
What they're saying: "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," Lilium CEO Klaus Roewe said in a statement.
What's next: Lilium says it's in "advanced discussions" with Saudi Arabian regulators to certify its aircraft before commercialization can begin.
