Shenzhen Eastern to order 100 Lilium jets

The Bavarian electric aerial taxi developer Lilium has announced a new customer in China. Shenzhen Eastern General Aviation (Heli-Eastern) will order 100 Lilium jets.

Heli-Eastern is a provider of helicopter services operating in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Yangtze River Delta and the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei areas. In addition, the agreement stipulates that Heli-Eastern will work with Lilium to identify potential sites and partners for Lilium’s vertiports and other ground infrastructure. Following the type certification of the Lilium jet, Heli-Eastern will operate the eVOTL in the region and provide crew and maintenance services.

However, there is still talk of Heli-Eastern “intending to order” 100 Lilium jets – so a binding order has not yet been signed. However, a partnership with another major customer may help to attract new investors. Lilium had only announced a 250 million US dollar capital increase at the beginning of May. The young company says it needs the equivalent of 226 million euros to hold out until the first manned flight in the first half of next year.

Last October, the Bavarian startup also signed a deal with Saudi Arabia’s airline Saudia for up to 100 Lilium jets. As with Heli-Eastern, however, it is still a preliminary agreement and not a binding order.

In addition to the new customer announcement, Lilium also announced plans to open a regional headquarters in the Bao’an district of Shenzhen city. The company agreed to partner with the Bao’an District of Shenzhen City for this purpose. Lilium’s cooperation with the municipality will initially focus on the Greater Bay Area Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao. In the long term, an expansion to the whole of China and the wider Asia-Pacific region is planned.

“China represents an enormous opportunity for the eVTOL industry we believe, projecting to amount to as much as 25% of the market. We are thrilled to be entering China with such a strong partner – the Bao’an District. Fast, comfortable, and sustainable transport will strongly contribute to the region’s development. We are grateful for the commitment and engagement the Bao’an District is offering,” said Klaus Roewe, CEO of Lilium.

lilium.com (Shenzhen Eastern), lilium.com (Bao’an)