Lilium, Saudia Airlines announce plan to bring electric air mobility to Saudi Arabia

In October, Saudia Airlines (Riyadh, Saudia Arabia) and Lilium (Munich, Germany), the composites-intensive Lilium Jet electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft developer, announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the proposed development and operation by Saudia of an eVTOL network across Saudi Arabia. The proposed arrangement will make Saudia the first airline in the MENA region to purchase 100 Lilium Jets alongside yearly support services.

Saudia intends to launch a state-of-the-art service with the purchase, including new electric point-to-point connections as well as seamless feeder connections to Saudia’s hubs for business class guests. Lilium Jet’s flexible cabin architecture is expected to enable a range of spacious interior configurations that are well suited to the needs of the premium market, which Lilium believes can help drive the early adoption of eVTOL aircraft required to scale. The aircraft also offers zero operating emissions, and will enable sustainable and time-saving travel.

Saudia also expects to support Lilium with the necessary regulatory approval processes in Saudi Arabia for certification of the Lilium Jet and any other required regulatory approvals. As the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, Saudia currently serves a network of more than 100 domestic and international destinations. Together, the partners hope to transform the region’s domestic air transport sector.

“Saudia, building on its commitment to be an industry-leading airline committed to sustainability, consider our eVTOL network project with Lilium to be an undertaking of great significance for the Kingdom’s aviation industry and will contribute effectively to spurring sustainable tourism in Saudi using zero-emission aviation,” Captain Ibrahim S. Koshy, chief executive officer (CEO) of Saudia, says.  

The proposed arrangement is subject to the parties completing a feasibility assessment, agreeing to commercial terms and entering into definitive agreements with respect thereto and satisfaction of certain conditions.

The new development adds to Lilium’s other purchase orders and plans to expand its eVTOL network. In September 2022, GlobeAir announced its intentions to purchase 12 Lilium Jets to provide premium and business eVTOL flights to its customer base in the French Riviera and Italy. In July 2022, Lilium also signed an agreement with Helity Copter Airlines to develop an eVTOL network in Andalusia. Under the agreement, Helity intends to initially purchase five Lilium Jets to provide premium and business charter flights to its customers.