Lilium Announces “Purchase of 20 Lilium Jets” from U.S Operator UrbanLink
Lilium announced this week a partnership with Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) operator, UrbanLink, to operate as well as purchase 20 Lilium Jets in South Florida, reports a press report. The deal includes pre-delivery payment schedules.
The Florida-based company is to become “the first airline in the U.S fully committed to integrating eVTOL aircraft into its fleet.”
Recently launched, UrbanLink is led by Ed Wegel, an experienced airline executive with 40 years in financing, operations and distribution. He has raised more than USD1 billion for aviation ventures and led FAA certifications for two U.S Part 135 airlines and several Part 121 carriers, including achieving the 2014 certification of Eastern Air Lines’ 737-800 fleet in a record-breaking eight months.
Most recently, Wegel served as CEO and Founder of GlobalX, America’s fastest-growing charter airline. He has also served as a board member for private and public aviation companies including Atlantic Coast, BWIA International and Eastern Airlines. Wegel was also a key developer of JetBlue’s initial business plan.
He commented, “While many airlines have discussed the potential of operating eVTOL aircraft, none have made a definitive commitment. UrbanLink will be the first airline in the U.S. to integrate eVTOL aircraft into its fleet.”
He continued, “We are dedicated to revolutionising the way people move to and from as well as within urban cores. After thorough evaluation of various manufacturers, we found the Lilium Jet to be the optimal choice for our needs, thanks to its superior cabin design, range, capacity and cost-effectiveness.”
Ed Wegel
This collaboration marks a critical milestone in accelerating the adoption of AAM in South Florida. UrbanLink’s entry into the region include aims to utilise the planned network of Florida vertiports that Lilium and its partners have formulated during the past five years.
The release explains, “UrbanLink views eVTOLs as a key driver of sustainable regional connectivity across South Florida. The Lilium Jet, with its planned launch range, is poised to fulfil this vision by linking major cities such as Miami, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale, extending seamlessly across the peninsula to Marco Island. The service launch is targeted for 2026.”
Sebastien Borel, Lilium’s CCO remarked, “This is a huge milestone, not only for Lilium, but for the commercialisation of eVTOLs in the U.S. We believe this purchase of our eVTOL aircraft is the first by a commercial operator that isn’t invested in the manufacturer that it is purchasing from.”
He added, “This is a sign that the market for eVTOLs has matured and there is growing demand for aircraft that can provide connections between, rather than just within, cities.”
The purchase order follows the beginning of the first Lilium Jet assembly at the end of last year with the initial piloted flight test of the eVTOL aircraft targeted for late 2024.
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(Images: Lilium)
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