Lilium has announced an agreement with Florida-based startup airline UrbanLink for 20 units of its electric vehicle takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the Lilium Jet, plus options for 20 more.
The order for was announced on May 6, 2024.
Little is known about UrbanLink, other than the fact that its founder is Ed Wegel, a seasoned airline executive who has held senior roles at a number of airlines.
In February 2024, Wegel stepped down as CEO of Global Crossing Airlines, a Miami-based charter airline that operates under the name GlobalX. Prior to that, he was president and CEO at Eastern Airlines. Wegel’s LinkedIn profile also lists him as the founder of Air Flo, a startup airline that aims to operate scheduled services out of Florida using Airbus A220 aircraft, and a board member at Eve Air Mobility, Embraer’s eVTOL subsidiary.
UrbanLink aims to operate inter-urban services in South Florida, connecting places such as Miami, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and Marco Island, from 2026, which is also the target year for the Lilium Jet to enter into service.
Unlike many other eVTOL order announcements, Lilium has alluded to scheduled pre-delivery payments from UrbanLink, although the exact terms or purchase price is not known.
Lilium and fellow German eVTOL developer Volocopter have recently been in the spotlight due to concerns about the ability to continue funding the development of their respective aircraft programs in the absence of new government-backed financial facilities.