U.K. Charter Outfit to Operate and Sell German eVTOL

Founded in 2015 by four Ph.D. students at Munich’s technical University, Lilium GmbH is a German aerospace concern about the business of developing an Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) jet to which the company has ascribed the rather prosaic appellation Lilium Jet.

On 05 December 2022, Lilium announced the signing of a contract with eVolare—a subsidiary of United Kingdom helicopter and private jet charter operator Volare Aviation. The inchoate partnership includes a firm commitment on eVolare’s part for ten Lilium Pioneer Edition Jets, with options for an additional ten aircraft.

eVolare founder Dustin Dryden remarked: “The revolutionary technology of the Lilium Pioneer Edition Jet coupled with its unique, premium cabin, made it a natural choice for us when looking to meet the future demands of an environmentally conscious market. For all our customers, we can offer point to point time-saving travels in a sustainable, safe manner while introducing some incredibly exciting innovation to the UK market.”   

Lilium CEO Klaus Roewe added: “We are delighted to launch our Lilium Pioneer Edition Jet with eVolare. Not only is the demand for sustainable regional air mobility in London high, but eVolare’s experience serving customers with business jet and helicopter operations is a great fit to our commercial first-phase: getting the premium segment to adopt our aircraft while preparing the entire ecosystem for a larger market. eVolare’s visionary approach to sustainable air mobility also makes them the perfect partner for the United Kingdom.”

The newly-signed deal—under which Volare will make an undisclosed pre-delivery payment to secure acquisition of the first ten Pioneer Edition Lilium Jets—marks the formal launch of the platform—so says Lilium. Per the agreement, eVolare will operate a service center to maintain the eVTOL, and develop landing sites appropriate to the aircraft. As Lilium’s “lead partner” in the UK, eVolare will also facilitate sales of the Lilium Jet to private individuals.

Notwithstanding the moniker’s tacit implication otherwise, the Pioneer Edition is a standard Lilium Jet with fewer passenger seats and a smattering of cabin appointments specified by eVolaire. In a September 2022 letter to its shareholders, Lilium described the aircraft—of which only fifty are to be produced—as featuring “a tailored cabin and dedicated services on attractive financial terms.” For purpose of increasing cabin space and enhancing passenger perception of luxury, the Pioneer Edition Lilium Jet will seat a pilot and four passengers—two fewer than the standard six-passenger model.

The Lilium Jet’s lift-scheme features thirty, articulating, ducted, electric, vectored-thrust motors installed in its aft wing and forward canard. The aircraft’s architecture derives of five generations of technology demonstrators Lilium has designed, built, and tested since 2015. The machine is expected to have a top-speed 161-knots and a maximum range of approximately 135-nautical-miles.

In March 2020, U.S.-based private aviation group and aircraft fractional ownership powerhouse NetJets agreed to add 150 Lilium Jets to its fleet. In September 2022, Austria-based private charter operator Globe Air committed to purchasing 12 of the contraptions. Additional prospective customers for Lilium’s eVTOL include: Helity Copter Airlines, ASL Group, AAP Aviation, and Bristow.

FMI: www.lilium.com