DUBAI AIRSHOW 2023: ArcosJet confirms purchase of 10 Lilium Jets, expected to be delivered as early as 2026

Lilium has strengthened its presence in the Middle East, with ArcosJet confirming it has purchased 10 Lilium Jets which will be delivered through 2026 and 2027.

This announcement was made today (Monday) on day one of this year’s Dubai Airshow and follows the appointment of ArcosJet as an exclusive authorised dealer for private sales of the Lilium Jet in Dubai.

Founded in 2014, ArcosJet has become one of the top business aircraft brokers with strong presence in the Middle East, Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

It features a portfolio of dozens of successful international aircraft transactions, specialising in large and long-range business jets segment. By early 2020s, the company has expanded its business portfolio to projects in airline industry, new aircraft dealership, helicopter & eVTOL operation and infrastructure.

Mikhail Alenkin, ArcosJet founder and CEO, said: “Today we are pleased to announce the details of our purchase of Lilium Pioneer Edition Jets and are confident that the aircraft will quickly find buyers and lay the foundations for the development of sustainable air transport in the Middle East.

“Together with Lilium, ArcosJet offers its customers best-in-class innovations and developments for the future of transport. We see this as the most profitable investment in the high-tech and sustainable future of aviation, as well as in the development of regional air mobility.

Lilium’s Pioneer Edition Jet will offer the largest cabin in its category, offering four seats and combining low-noise and high-speed regional transport with zero operating emissions. Each Lilium Jet will be delivered to customers with a comprehensive maintenance program, pilot training, and two charging stations.

Sebastien Borel, Chief Commercial Officer at Lilium, added: “Together with ArcosJet, we are excited to be entering new markets by introducing our revolutionary Lilium Jet and thrilled with their firm commitment for 10 jets. With ArcosJet’s experience and expertise in private aircraft sales, I am confident our partnership will help customers appreciate the unique capabilities of eVTOL flight.”

The Lilium Pioneer Edition Jet is the first planned model of the Lilium Jet and will comfortably seat four passengers on estimated non-stop flights of up to 175 km at 250 km/h. The first manned flight of the type-conforming aircraft is scheduled for late 2024, with type certification expected in late 2025.

Speaking exclusively to eVTOL Insights, Paul-Frank Bijou, VP of Business Development at Lilium, talked in more detail about the potential for AAM in the region.

He said: They [the Middle East] really want this to happen. Saudi Arabia is super fast at the moment and have mentioned eVTOL aircraft several times. You know they have invested in Lilium as well and want much more than this; from centres of excellence to assembly lines. They really want to count on the industry which is great, so there’s a lot of interest.

When asked about other aspects of the industry and how they can fit into the region too, Bijou added: “For infrastructure, we have partnered with a number of companies and this is something the airlines and operators ask us all the time.

“It’s OK to buy your aircraft; where can we fly? This is a very basic question, so we need to engage with a power company and with vertiports FBOs wanting to do new things. In the UAE, it’s relatively easy because the RTA decided to develop the network themselves – just like Monaco did with the electric plugs for the taxis.

“In Saudi Arabia, they decided to go full blown with sustainability. On top of their five mega projects, including NEOM and Red Sea, they want to connect all of them with sustainable aviation.

“My dream is that we should have as many eVTOL aircraft as commercial aircraft, because this is what you need; you need to fly the same number of passengers to the final destination. Hence the need to have the same number of aircraft.

“In 10 years, it will be unthinkable to be stuck in traffic jams for ages. What do we need to do to get there? Concrete orders and infrastructure. We need much more firm order – not only by Lilium, but by other companies as well. Because the segments are different, we need the whole ecosystem.”

ArcosJet and Lilium will be showcasing a full-scale mockup of the Lilium Jet interior experience for the first time in the Middle East, located at stand 84 in the AAM Pavilion.