At the sixth edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s national airline, Saudia, and German company Lilium, developer of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, signed a new memorandum of understanding (MoU).
As a result of the agreement, Saudia formalised plans to purchase up to one hundred eVTOL developed by Lilium. In doing so, the airline would become the first operator in the Middle East to invest in the development of an urban air mobility (UAM) network in the region.
Saudia intends to launch an all-electric, point-to-point air connectivity service for passengers in its premium service classes. In addition, it will support Lilium in the stringent approval processes with Saudi regulatory authorities.
The partnership between the two companies is subject to the parties completing a feasibility assessment, agreeing commercial terms and other conditions being met.
Ibrahim S. Koshy, CEO of Saudia, remarked that the company considers the project to develop an eVTOL operations network “an undertaking of great significance for the Kingdom’s aviation industry” and assured that the agreement “will contribute effectively to spurring sustainable tourism”. “The potential for such an airborne transit network is limitless”, he stressed.
“This partnership with Saudia, our first in the Middle East, is an exciting development for Lilium”, said Alexander Asseily, Vice Chairman of the German company. “We look forward to working with Saudia to deploy an eVTOL network across Saudi Arabia”, he added.
Lilium’s eVTOL
According to its developer, the Lilium Jet will be capable of carrying up to six passengers and can be operated by a single pilot. The interior can be adapted to achieve a configuration optimised for different uses and customer requirements.
It will reach a cruising speed of up to 175 miles per hour (280 kilometres per hour) and an altitude of up to 10.300 feet (3.000 metres). It will also offer a maximum range of 155 miles (250 kilometres).
The electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft will have a wingspan of 13.9 metres and a length of 8.5 metres. It will be powered by a series of thirty fans located in the wings and powered by batteries.
Lilium is one of a number of emerging companies in the eVTOL aircraft market. All of them are pursuing one main goal: to create zero-emission passenger air vehicles for short-haul urban or regional flights and to increase the accessibility of this type of air mobility for operators and their customers.
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