German-based eVTOL developer Lilium has landed two new partnerships to introduce regional air mobility in Scandinavia and the Benelux region.
Announced during the Farnborough International Airshow on July 19, Lilium has signed an agreement with AAP Aviation Group that will see the company potentially purchase 40 Lilium Jet eVTOL aircraft, as well as develop a vertiport network in Scandinavia, starting with Norway.
“Norway is the world’s leader in sustainable practices, known to have the highest penetration of electric car ownership,” said Daniel Wiegand, CEO of Lilium, in a press release. “Together with AAP’s operational expertise and knowledge of the region, we have the ideal conditions for an eVTOL revolution.”
Espen Hoiby, CEO of AAP Aviation, said he believes Norway’s diverse landscape makes it “particularly suited to regional air mobility.”
“With its vertical take-off and landing capability, high speed and regional range, the Lilium Jet can achieve hours of time-savings compared with today’s transportation modes,” Hoiby said.
Formerly known as OSM Aviation, and with operations in 19 countries around the world, AAP Aviation offers aviation professionals with employment, training and administration services, including crew management, talent development, advanced technologies and flight operations support.
The German eVTOL developer has also signed an agreement with ASL Group to bring its aircraft to the Benelux region. The business jet operator intends to purchase an initial six Lilium Jets and plans to work with Lilium to develop a network of vertiports across Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Western Germany.
“With the highest population density in Europe, Benelux represents a perfect use case for eVTOL transportation, and we are proud to support ASL’s development in the region,” Wiegand said.
These announcements follow Lilium’s recent partnership announcement with Bristow Group, which could see the offshore helicopter operator add 50 of the Lilium Jet eVTOL aircraft to its fleet.
Lilium’s aircraft is expected to hold between four and six passengers. To carry out regional air mobility services, the company said it is targeting a physical range of around 250 kilometers (155 miles). According to a recent battery study, its current Zenlabs battery technology could provide the aircraft with an operational range of around 175 km (108 mi), at maximum take-off weight and with a 20% energy reserve after landing.
The proposed arrangements with AAP Aviation and ASL Group are subject to the parties finalizing commercial terms and entering into definitive agreements.
