Saudi Arabia’s national airline has unveiled
plans to purchase 100 Lilium electric vertical take-off and
landing (eVTOL) jets and support
the certification process.
The two companies signed a MOU at the sixth
edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh
earlier this week.
Alexander Asseily, Vice Chairman of Lilium, said,
“We are thrilled to work with innovative partners for whom
sustainability is a priority. This partnership with Saudia, our
first in the Middle East, is an exciting development for Lilium.
We look forward to working with Saudia to deploy an eVTOL network
across Saudi Arabia.”
With zero operating emissions, the Lilium Jet is
being designed to
enable sustainable travel, while a flexible cabin architecture
will allow customers to choose from a range of different interior
configurations.
Saudia says it plans to use the jets to launch new electric point-to-point connections as well as
to offer seamless feeder connections to Saudia’s hubs for business class guests.
The airline 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.
The proposed arrangement between the two companies
is subject to both parties completing a feasibility assessment,
agreeing to commercial terms, and entering into definitive
agreements with respect thereto and satisfaction of certain
conditions.
Captain Ibrahim S. Koshy, Chief Executive Officer
of Saudia, said, “Saudia, building on its commitment to be an
industry leading airline committed to sustainability, considers our
eVTOL network project with Lilium to be an undertaking of great
significance for the Kingdom’s aviation industry and will
contribute effectively to spurring sustainable tourism in Saudi
Arabia using zero-emission aviation. Saudia intends to meet a growing
demand for regional air mobility and offer our valued Guests a
superior on-board experience. The potential for such an airborne
transit network is limitless”.
Saudia currently operates a network of more than
100 domestic and international destinations.
