Saudia orders 50 eVTOLs from Lilium with an option for 50 more

As announced in 2022, the now binding order includes “a schedule of deposit and pre-delivery payments, timeline of future deliveries, guarantees on aircraft performance, and provisions on spare parts, maintenance, and repairs,” in addition to the electric VTOLs. Both parties also want to sign a comprehensive ‘Lilium POWER-ON’ agreement. However, an order value was not disclosed.

Saudi Arabia’s airline expects to receive its first vertical take-off and landing aircraft in 2026. Saudia Private, a subsidiary of Saudia Group, will manage and run operations. Before commercialisation, the Group intends to strategically support Lilium’s certification process with the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), the Saudi Arabian aviation authority.

The purchase agreement with the Saudia Group is the latest addition to Lilium’s existing order list, which now includes 106 firm orders and reservations for the Lilium Jet, options for 76 additional aircraft and around 600 aircraft under Memoranda of Understanding.

However, Lilium still has a long way to go before the first customer deliveries can begin in 2026. Lilium is currently building the first two aircraft at its production facility in Gauting, south of Munich. The first eVTOL will be used exclusively for ground tests in a few weeks. Ground tests with the second aircraft are scheduled to start in autumn. Lilium plans to use this model for the first manned flight at the beginning of 2025. The third model, which is due to roll off the production line this year, will take part in the flight test campaign for certification in 2025. Although only three eVTOLs will be produced this year, the start-up states that the current postponement will have “no material impact on customer deliveries, program planning, or total program costs.”

Moreover, Lilium and FlightSafety International plan to submit a simulator for flight crew training to EASA and FOCA (the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation, which supports EASA in the certification of training programmes). It should pave the way for the final development of the training devices.

In addition to the certification efforts, Lilium continues to expand its support and service organisation, Lilium POWER-ON, to ensure a seamless launch for its customers. Following partnerships with AJW Group for material services, Dedienne for ground support equipment and StarCharge for the charging station, Lilium POWER-ON focuses on digital solutions.

lilium.com (Saudia), lilium.com (programme updates)