Munich-based Lilium, which specializes in all-electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, has announced it is to partner with the Tavistock Development Company (Tavistock) and the city of Orlando, Florida, to create a Vertiport, the first hub location for a high-speed electric air mobility network in the USA.
The location has been chosen because of its centrality in Florida giving access to 20 million Floridians who live within a 186-mile radius of the Vertiport, approximately one hour of flight time for the eVTOL aircraft on a single charge.
Commenting on the ground-breaking partnership, Dr. Remo Gerber, Chief Operating Officer, Lilium said: “We are thrilled to partner with Tavistock and build the first stretch of Florida’s high-speed electric transportation network with Central Florida at its core. It shows that regional high-speed air mobility can be built by private initiative and give communities such as Lake Nona, which can also serve Orlando and arrivals from its international airport, the ability to determine themselves whether they want a link into a high-speed transportation network.”
Described as the “Future of Cities” by Fortune Magazine, Lake Nona provides an unmatched location contiguous to the Orlando International Airport, the origination site of more than half of the region’s 75 million annual visitors, with a strong economy and infrastructure ready to support the US launch of electric air mobility.
Orlando’s aerotropolis is highlighted by the international airport and robust aviation companies and services, including several within Lake Nona, which is home to BBA Aviation/Signature Flight Support and SimCom Aviation Training who recently announced the creation of its new global headquarters that will train approximately 10,000 pilots each year.
