Read the latest news about German eVTOL developer Lilium.

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Southeast Asian private aviation management and charter group PhilJets plans to add 10 of Lilium’s six-passenger eVTOL aircraft to its fleet. At the Singapore Airshow on Tuesday, the Philippines-based company signed a memorandum of understanding with the German manufacturer covering the provisional sales agreement and a partnership that will focus on defining routes and the market for an on-demand air taxi service.
The companies said they will identify potential locations for operating bases, as well as find partners to secure infrastructure and develop vertiports. They will also coordinate access to Lilium’s existing network of charging hardware providers for its aircraft, which has 30 ducted electric engines installed in the wing and canard.
According to Lilium, the Philippines, with its 7,500-plus islands, is well suited to eVTOL aircraft to provide new regional connections. The manufacturer, which is working to bring the Lilium Jet into commercial service in 2026, also sees the potential to establish eVTOL routes in Cambodia.
The <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-12-07/lilium-starts-evtol-final-assembly-and-partners-lufthansa">Lilium Jet </a>is expected to operate mainly on flights of up to 175 kilometers (109 miles) at speeds of up to 250 km/h. In addition to the standard model, Lilium is offering the more spacious Pioneer Edition with four seats in a cabin that can be partially customized to each client’s taste.
PhilJets, which currently operates 15 jets and helicopters, said that it plans further expansion over the next three years that could include neighboring countries. It operates a mix of private and charter flights and has a maintenance division that supports more than 100 rotorcraft.
Other plans to introduce eVTOL services to the Philippines and Cambodia are also being advanced under a new agreement between rival manufacturer Eve Air Mobility and <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2024-02-19/singapore-private-aviation-group-yugo-teams-eve-air-mobility">Singapore-based private aviation group Yugo</a>. PhilJets is also involved with Yugo in this project.
“With its growing economy, geography, and important tourism industry, the Philippines is a great match to the Lilium Jet’s capabilities,” said PhilJets chairman Thierry Tea. “Innovation in aviation is gaining traction among regulators, urban planners, and industry leaders of worldwide economies.”

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

Philippines Charter Flight Group Commits To Operating Lilium's eVTOL Aircraft

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is to serve as the hub for Lilium’s planned eVTOL air services in central Florida. In an announcement on February 8, the European manufacturer said that operators of its six-passenger Lilium Jet will be able to use a new vertiport at the airport as a hub for flights across the state.
Lilium’s plans at MCO build on its 2020 announcement with the City of Orlando and the nearby <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2020-11-11/lilium-announces-plan-build-evtol-air-mobility-network-florida">Lake Nona community</a> that it intends to launch U.S. services in Florida. The company said that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-12-22/airports-group-gears-demand-led-vertiport-development-plans">airports group Ferrovial</a>&nbsp;is its preferred partner for the vertiport project, but that the final decision as to who builds and operates the facility will be made by the airport's management team.
The company has expressed support for a bill currently proceeding through&nbsp;the state legislature to make the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority an officially designated test site for advanced air mobility services. Lilium’s <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2021-01-28/lilium-enlists-ferrovial-grow-its-air-mobility-network-across-florida">previously announced plans</a> envisage regional flights across a radius of around 185 miles to connect cities including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Sarasota, Naples, and Fort Myers. Rival eVTOL aircraft developers <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2021-03-09/archer-confirms-miami-mobility-plans-recruits-uber-elevate-pioneers">Archer</a> and <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-12-14/urbanx-launches-air-taxi-plan-miami-dade-county">Eve Air Mobility</a> have also announced plans to establish services in South Florida.
House Bill 981 is being proposed by State Reps. Doug Bankson (District 39) and Fiona McFarland (District 73), who is chair of the Florida House Transportation and Modals subcommittee. Supporters hope the precedent set for eVTOL infrastructure in the Orlando area will establish a blueprint for rolling out facilities in other communities.
“Building a vertiport at the major hub airport will ultimately enhance regional mobility by increasing passenger access and connectivity while allowing multiple operators to use the facility and share in the cost,” said Lilium’s chief commercial officer, Sebastien Borel. The Orlando area attracts approximately 80 million visitors each year. 
Germany-based Lilium is working toward&nbsp;achieving <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-11-27/easa-approves-lilium-design-organization-key-step-toward-evtol-aircraft">EASA</a> and <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-06-27/faa-issues-g-1-certification-basis-liliums-evtol-aircraft">FAA type certification</a> in late 2025. Prospective U.S. operators for the Lilium Jet include fractional ownership provider <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-03-03/netjets-agrees-buy-and-operate-lilium-jet-evtol-private-owners">NetJets</a> and helicopter group <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-07-18/bristow-plans-lilium-jet-evtol-purchase-part-wider-partnership">Bristow</a>.

Orlando Confirmed as Hub for Lilium's Regional eVTOL Services in central Florida

Lilium has selected supply chain specialist AJW Group to manage and distribute spare parts for the <a href="https://futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-12-07/lilium-starts-evtol-final-assembly-and-partners-lufthansa">Lilium Jet</a>, a six-passenger eVTOL air taxi that the German manufacturer aims to bring into commercial service in 2026. The agreement announced this week makes Lilium the first eVTOL vehicle developer to publicly confirm how it plans to provide spares as part of maintenance, repair, and overhaul provision for operators.
As Lilium’s exclusive parts distributor, <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/company/ajw-group">AJW Group</a> will provide logistics and asset management services to ensure that Lilium Jet operators around the world have the supplies they need to maintain and repair their fleets. AJW will play a key role in Lilium’s aftermarket services business, which will include training and other support functions for customers.&nbsp;
“This is a very important step as we advance towards our planned entry into service in 2026 and a major milestone in the development of our strategic and comprehensive support offerings for our customers,” said Lilium chief commercial officer Sebastien Borel. “AJW's proven world-class expertise in material management and exemplary warehouse and logistics services align seamlessly with our commitment to excellence.”
AJW supplies spare parts and repair services for a variety of commercial airplanes, including Airbus and Boeing airliners as well as Bombardier’s <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2018-02-07/ajw-takes-repair-management-bombardier">Learjet, Challenger, and Global business jets</a>. The company has headquarters in the UK and hubs all over the world, which makes it well poised to take on the task of managing Lilium’s global parts distribution network. Lilium holds provisional sales agreements with customers in Europe, the U.S., China, and the Middle East.
The Lilium Jet is a battery-powered aircraft with a unique propulsion system that uses electric ducted fans built into its wing and canard. It is designed to operate on routes of up to 175 kilometers (109 miles) at speeds of 250 km/h (155 mph).

Science & Technology Editor

Hanneke Weitering

Lilium Announces Plans For Parts Distribution to eVTOL Aircraft Operators

German airports group Fraport has started working with Lilium to prepare ground infrastructure for eVTOL aircraft. The company operates Frankfurt Airport and 30 other international airports across four continents.
Announcing their partnership on January 10, Munich-based Lilium and Fraport said they will jointly focus on “exploration studies on infrastructure” and a regulatory action plan for Germany and other European Union countries. The companies have committed to engaging with industry groups and the German government to accelerate regulatory work, with requirements and safety standards for vertiports and other infrastructure still needing to be fully established.
According to Lilium, which seeks&nbsp;to bring its six-passenger Lilium Jet eVTOL vehicle into commercial service in 2026, Fraport will help it to define vertiport concepts, “especially at and around airports.” The partners have not confirmed whether they will jointly develop and invest in infrastructure, but Lilium indicated its work with Fraport will complement partnerships it has with airports in Stuttgart, Munich, Nuremberg, Cologne-Bonn, and Düsseldorf.
“In this collaborative endeavor, our focus is on examining the impact of eVTOLs on airport infrastructure,” said Alexander Laukenmann, Fraport’s senior executive vice president for aviation. “As a cutting-edge and environmentally sustainable prospect for regional aviation, eVTOLs possess the potential to address and develop new models of individual travel and mobility requirements in a sustainable manner in the years to come.”
The alliance with Fraport will build on studies Lilium has conducted with airports and air traffic control authorities to assess the feasibility of integrating eVTOL aircraft into regional air transport networks. The studies have focused on potential uses and routes, and challenges such as airspace integration. The <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-12-07/lilium-starts-evtol-final-assembly-and-partners-lufthansa">Lilium Jet</a>, which has 30 ducted fan electric engines in its wing and canard, is expected to operate on routes of up to 175 kilometers (109 miles) at speeds of 250 km/h. 
In 2021, Lilium announced an infrastructure development partnership with Ferrovial, an airports, highways, and rail group. This focused on plans for a <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2021-01-28/lilium-enlists-ferrovial-grow-its-air-mobility-network-across-florida">network of vertiports</a> across Florida, which the manufacturer views as a potential early market for eVTOL air services. It is not clear whether Lilium is still working with <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-12-22/airports-group-gears-demand-led-vertiport-development-plans">Ferrovial Vertiports</a>, which has since announced partnerships with rival aircraft developers, including Eve Air Mobility.
On January 9, Lilium reported that it had integrated the wing for its first full-scale Lilium Jet prototype with the fuselage. At its headquarters near Munich, the company is preparing to start flight testing the six-passenger model during 2024 as it works toward&nbsp;type certification in time for commercial operations to begin in 2026. The company says it will use <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-12-07/lilium-starts-evtol-final-assembly-and-partners-lufthansa">seven of the aircraft</a>, featuring 30 ducted fan electric engines installed in the wing and canard, to complete flight testing.

German Airports Group Works on Vertiport Plans with eVTOL Aircraft Developer Lilium

Lilium this week started producing a full-scale airframe of its six-passenger eVTOL vehicle, with the arrival of the first complete fuselage at its final assembly line at Wessling in Germany. The aircraft is the first of seven that will&nbsp;be used for the flight test campaign due to start in late 2024 for the EASA type certification campaign the company hopes will lead to service entry in 2026.
The first fuselage arrived in Germany from Valladolid, Spain, where Lilium’s program partner, Aciturri, is <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-09-19/lilium-and-aciturri-start-building-first-evtol-aircraft-certification">manufacturing the composite structures</a>. Other key suppliers, including <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-09-27/lilium-starts-assembling-electric-propulsion-system-evtol-prototype">electric propulsion system partners</a>&nbsp;Honeywell, Denso, Aerononamic, and SKF, as well as aerostructures specialist Aernnova, are ramping up production rates for the Lilium Jet’s parts and systems.
On Thursday, Lilium and German airline&nbsp;Lufthansa signed a memorandum of understanding covering a&nbsp;&nbsp;strategic partnership to explore commercial eVTOL aircraft operations in Europe. The partners will focus on areas including ground and flight operations, aircraft maintenance, crew requirements, and flight training. In the future, the collaboration may be widened to include other partners, such as airports, airspace integration specialists, and vertiport operators.
Lufthansa, which operates more than 700 airliners, is developing a long-term strategy to reduce carbon emissions. According to Lilium, there could be demand for around 9,200 eVTOL vehicles in Europe through 2035.
"Innovation is part of our DNA," commented Detlef Kayser,&nbsp;the Lufthansa board member responsible for fleet and technology. "The Lufthansa Group has been at the forefront of some of Europe's most important aviation initiatives, especially in the area of environmental sustainability. We are thrilled to explore opportunities for bringing eVTOL flights to Lufthansa Group customers."
<h3 class="subheading">First Lilium Jet Fuselage Takes Shape&nbsp;</h3>
In a December 6 announcement, Lilium said the next step will be for the first fuselage to be integrated with the canard and wings that also incorporate the aircraft’s 30 ducted electric engines. Lilium’s 175,000-sq-ft facility at Wessling in southern Germany houses the final assembly line, a propulsion and aerostructures area, and a testing and manufacturing hub.
On November 27, EASA issued Lilium its design organization approval, which is required as part of the certification process under the European agency’s SC-VTOL rules. The approval confirms that Lilium’s organization, procedures, and capabilities meet the safety and regulatory standards for the development of commercial aircraft under Part 21 rules. In June, the FAA issued Lilium its <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-06-27/faa-issues-g-1-certification-basis-liliums-evtol-aircraft">G-1 approval </a>as part of its type certification process.
“I’d like to pay tribute not only to all Lilians but also to the support and commitment of each of our suppliers and partners,” said Lilium COO Yves Yemsi. “The progress made in designing and building the fuselage, canard, and wings is a testament to the quality of collaboration with our aerostructures suppliers, Aciturri and Aernnova. This once again confirms that our approach of teaming with proven aerospace suppliers is the optimal strategy as we advance along a path to certification and entry into service of the Lilium Jet.”
The Lilium Jet is expected to operate flights of up to 175 kilometers (109 miles) at speeds of 250 km/h. The standard model will have six passenger seats, while the special <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-10-18/business-aviation-group-emc-jet-market-liliums-pioneer-edition-evtol">Pioneer Edition </a>will offer a more spacious four-seat cabin.
Lilium has already conducted flight testing on a smaller-scale technology demonstrator called the Phoenix 2 at the Atlas Flight Test Center in Spain. In September 2022, it achieved<a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-09-28/lilium-reports-full-transition-flights-evtol-aircraft-technology"> full transition</a> between vertical and horizontal phases of flight.

Lilium Starts eVTOL Final Assembly and Partners with Lufthansa

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)&nbsp;has issued a design organization approval (DOA) to eVTOL aircraft manufacturer Lilium. The approval, announced on Monday, is a requirement for companies seeking type certification for new aircraft, as the German company is doing for its Lilium Jet under the EASA’s new SC-VTOL rules.
The DOA confirms that Lilium’s organization, procedures, and capabilities meet the safety and regulatory standards for the development of commercial aircraft under Part 21 rules. It is awarded after an extensive process in which EASA officials carefully evaluate each company, which in<a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-07-06/lilium-completes-easa-design-organization-audits-evtol-aircraft-program"> Lilium’s case</a> began in 2017.
“EASA is ensuring that everything is in place for the societal acceptance of urban air mobility,” said the agency’s acting executive director, Luc Tytgat. “We are setting the right rules for operations and taking care of the environmental elements, including noise, while of course ensuring that high safety standards are met. At the same time, we are wary of creating barriers to entering this new market and we have worked in partnership with Lilium&nbsp;against a demanding timeline.”
The Lilium Jet, which features 30 ducted-fan engines in its wing and canard, is expected to operate flights of up to 175 kilometers (109 miles) at speeds of 250 km/h. The standard model will have six passenger seats, while the special <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-10-18/business-aviation-group-emc-jet-market-liliums-pioneer-edition-evtol">Pioneer Edition </a>will offer a more spacious cabin with four seats.
Lilium is aiming to complete <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-03-31/lilium-pushes-projected-evtol-aircraft-type-certification-2025">EASA type certification </a>in time for the aircraft to enter service in 2026 and expects to achieve concurrent type certification by the FAA under the terms of the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement between the European Union and the U.S. In June, the FAA issued Lilium its <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-06-27/faa-issues-g-1-certification-basis-liliums-evtol-aircraft">G-1 approval </a>as part of its type certification process.
“In simple terms, the design organization approval is our license to operate and confirms that Lilium has the organization, procedures, competencies, resources, and demonstrated rigor required to design and certify aircraft according to the very highest safety standards,” explained Alastair McIntosh, the company’s chief technology officer and head of design organization.
Around 450 members of Lilium’s 800-strong workforce are engineers. The company’s headquarters and manufacturing facilities are in Munich, with some teams based across Europe and in the U.S.
<h3 class="subheading">New eVTOL Partnership with Chinese Helicopter Operator</h3>
Meanwhile, Lilium has&nbsp;partnered&nbsp;with Chinese rotorcraft operator CITIC Offshore Helicopter Co. (COHC) to prepare to offer eVTOL air services. The company says it is the only Chinese helicopter operator approved to provide&nbsp;port pilotage services.
Under a memorandum of understanding announced on November 24, the companies will begin their strategic collaboration in the so-called Greater Bay Area, which&nbsp;covers cities including Shenzhen and Guangzhou, as well as Hong Kong and Macau, with a combined population of just over 71 million people. Later plans envisage the launch of services in other parts of China, including Hainan Island and Tianjin.
COHC and Lilium will select production bases in China, conduct test flights, implement after-sales service protocols, and identify locations and partners to build and operate vertiports. The agreement builds on Lilium’s existing partnerships with other Chinese stakeholders, including <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-06-20/lilium-enters-china-market-heli-eastern-agrees-buy-100-evtol-aircraft">Heli-Eastern</a> and the Bao’an district of the <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-07-25/shenzhens-baoan-district-bids-become-advanced-air-mobility-hub-china">Shenzhen municipality</a>. 
“The partnership highlights the shared aspirations of COHC and Lilium to create a sustainable and efficient aerial transportation system that addresses the growing demand for premium regional mobility solutions,” said Lilium CEO Klaus Roewe. “China is expected to account for close to 25 percent of the eVTOL market and this announcement reaffirms our commitment to the region and desire to bring fast and sustainable travel to more people and to offer outstanding flight experiences for our customers.”

EASA Approves Lilium as Design Organization in Key Step toward eVTOL Aircraft Type Certification

Two leading eVTOL aircraft developers, Wisk Aero and Lilium, have announced changes to their senior leadership teams. The moves come at the start of a year that industry observers say could prove critical to the ability of the advanced air mobility sector’s front-runners to meet their ambitious timelines. Both companies are seeking to&nbsp;bring&nbsp;products to market at a time when accessing&nbsp;new sources of funding could be more challenging.
On January 17, U.S. company Wisk named Boeing executive Brian Yutko as its next CEO. He will take over from Gary Gysin, who is retiring&nbsp;on February 1. 
Gysin has led Wisk since 2019 when the company was established with the backing of leading shareholders Kitty Hawk and Boeing. He has led the development of the sixth-generation eVTOL aircraft, which&nbsp;the company <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-10-02/wisk-aero-unveils-four-seat-autonomous-evtol-air-taxi">unveiled last year</a>, and&nbsp;was instrumental in securing an additional <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-01-24/boeing-bets-big-evtols-450-million-funding-wisk-aero">$450 million investment</a> from Boeing in January 2022.
Yutko is currently Boeing's vice president and chief engineer of sustainability and future mobility. He was previously chief technologist for the U.S. aerospace group's Boeing NeXt business unit and prior to that served as senior vice president of programs at its Aurora Flight Sciences subsidiary.
Lilium Steps Up Industrialization Plan
Germany’s Lilium this week announced internal appointments that will see Oliver Vogelgesang taking over as CFO from Geoffrey Richardson, while Sebastien Borel will become&nbsp;chief commercial officer. Vogelgesang joined the company in July 2021 as senior vice president for finance and controlling, while Borel has been senior vice president commercial since April 2022, and was previously vice president business.
Richardson has been with Lilium since November 2020. As CFO, he was instrumental in securing the start-up’s <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2021-09-15/lilium-and-archer-head-wall-street-share-flotations">Nasdaq listing</a> in September 2021 and then in raising $119 million in a <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-11-18/lilium-raises-119-million-evtol-aircraft-program-new-share-issue">funding round</a> completed in November 2022. 
According to the company, the next phase of its plans to bring the six-seat <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/aircraft-program/lilium-jet">Lilium Jet</a> into commercial service will require its senior leadership team to be co-located in Germany, reporting to newly appointed CEO Klaus Roewe.&nbsp;Richardson is based in California.
Lilium recently completed the third of four audits for its application to secure an EASA design organization approval, with the final audit expected to happen during the first half of this year. The approval is an important prerequisite for <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-03-31/lilium-pushes-projected-evtol-aircraft-type-certification-2025">obtaining type certification</a>. The company intends to build a production-conforming prototype this year that will be&nbsp;ready to start flight testing.
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Lilium

News

Philippines Charter Flight Group Commits To Operating Lilium's eVTOL Aircraft

Orlando Confirmed as Hub for Lilium's Regional eVTOL Services in central Florida

Lilium Announces Plans For Parts Distribution to eVTOL Aircraft Operators

German Airports Group Works on Vertiport Plans with eVTOL Aircraft Developer Lilium

Lilium Starts eVTOL Final Assembly and Partners with Lufthansa

EASA Approves Lilium as Design Organization in Key Step toward eVTOL Aircraft Type Certification

eVTOL Aircraft Developers Wisk and Lilium Make Leadership Changes

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