At the sixth edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII), SAUDIA, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia and Lilium N.V. (Lilium), developer of the all-electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) jet announced the signing of 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 Lilium Jets alongside yearly support services.
With zero operating emissions, the Lilium Jet will enable sustainable and time-saving travel. SAUDIA intends to launch a state-of-the-art service with the purchase of the 100 Lilium Jets 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 provide a range of spacious interior configurations that will be well suited to the needs of the premium market, which Lilium believes can help drive the early adoption of eVTOL aircraft required to scale.
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. Lilium and SAUDIA plan to combine SAUDIA’s unrivalled market knowledge and Lilium’s unique eVTOL aircraft to transform the Kingdom’s domestic air transport sector.
