German eVTOL developer Lilium is likely to announce an order from Saudi Arabia’s national carrier, Saudia, for 100 of its Lilium Jet eVTOLs, according to a Reuters report.
Quoting unnamed sources close to the company, Reuters explained that the announcement will be made on July 18, 2024, during a press conference that will take place at Lilium’s facilities near Munich.
If confirmed, this order strongly suggests a firming of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Lilium and Saudia in October 2022, which contemplated a 100 aircraft order like the one now being talked about.
On a number of occasions Saudi Arabia has signaled its interest in being one of the springboards of advanced air mobility (AAM), not just in the Middle East region, but across the globe.
Advanced air mobility developers had a dedicated pavilion at the latest Future Aviation Forum in Riyadh, in May 2024, and companies such as Volocopter and EHang have performed real flight demonstrations in Saudi Arabia over the last few months.
The Saudia order will also likely bolster Lilium’s market credentials right after the company closed a new US$114 million funding round that will give the company additional financial room for maneuver while it undergoes its certification process.