Saudia Places Largest Order Yet for Germany’s Lilium Flying Taxis
Lilium secures its largest order yet from Saudia Group for up to 100 all-electric flying shuttles. The deal includes a firm order for 50 eVTOL Jets, with an option for an additional 50. The shuttles are expected to join Saudia's fleet by 2026.
Saudia has placed a firm order for 50 of Lilium's electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) Jets, with an option for an additional 50 in the future. The shuttles, designed to replace short trips by road or traditional aircraft, will join Saudia's fleet by 2026.
The agreement was signed at Lilium's headquarters in Munich during a visit by Saudia executives to Germany. The total value of the order, including options, is estimated to be around $700 million, according to Lilium co-founder Daniel Wiegand.
Lilium is operating in a competitive market for eVTOL vehicles and relies on advance payments from customers to finalize the development of its flying taxi. Currently, the company has 106 definite orders, including Saudia's, along with 76 options and approximately 600 memorandums of understanding.
Due to delays in the delivery of testing equipment and other parts, Lilium has postponed the first manned flight of its vertical take-off aircraft until early next year.
Saudia plans to use the air shuttles to transport pilgrims between Mecca and Jeddah, as well as to transport guests to major sporting events in Riyadh and tourist destinations. The airline expects to receive the first 50 planes by 2029, according to Chief Marketing Officer Khaled Tash.
In addition to the Lilium deal, Saudia executives also visited Airbus in Hamburg during their trip to Germany. This visit follows a recent major order of narrow-bodied jets as part of Saudi Arabia's efforts to boost air traffic and tourism.
Saudia aims to triple its annual passenger numbers to 300 million by the end of the decade, aligning with Saudi Arabia's "Vision 2030" program to diversify the country's economy away from oil.
Lilium secures its largest order yet from Saudia Group for up to 100 all-electric flying shuttles.
The deal includes a firm order for 50 eVTOL Jets, with an option for an additional 50.
The shuttles are expected to join Saudia's fleet by 2026.
Source: REUTERS