Saudia Group has signed a deal with Lilium to buy 50 Lilium jets, with an option for 50 more in Munich, Germany.
Takeaway Points
- Saudia Group Signs Deal With Lilium to Buy Up to 100 eVTOL Jets.
- The company ordered 50 Lilium Jets, with options to buy 50 extra, which made it the largest commitment in the eVTOL sector by an airline operator.
- The aviation company will receive the first jets in 2026.
Saudi Group Agreement with Lilium
Saudia Group, one of the largest aviation conglomerates in the MENA region, signed a deal with Lilium N.V., a leading electric aircraft manufacturer and pioneer in Regional Air Mobility (RAM), on Thursday to buy a total of 100 eVTOL jets.
The company ordered 50 Lilium Jets, with options to buy 50 extra, which made it the largest commitment in the eVTOL sector by an airline operator, Lilium said.
The signature ceremony took place at Lilium’s Headquarters in Gauting near Munich, where Fahd Al-Jarbou, CEO of Saudia Private, and Lilium’s CEO Klaus Roewe, signed the contract in the presence of Michael Kindsgrab, the German Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group; and Lilium Chairman Tom Enders.
H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, commented at the signing event, saying that “Saudia Group is proud to pioneer the MENA region as the first company to acquire all-electric eVTOL jets, which reflects our commitment to continuously reducing our carbon footprint and becoming an industry leader in regional electric aviation. We recognize the critical role that Lilium is positioned to play in enabling us to deliver a sustainable premium aviation experience and transport our guests even closer to their destination. This agreement amplifies our commitment to the Saudi Vision 2030 and is the result of a collaborative effort over the past years between Lilium and Saudia Group to explore how we can best bring eVTOL to the skies of Saudi Arabia. We are looking forward to the journey ahead.”
He added, “The eVTOL jets are revolutionizing guest transportation. Their unique vertical take-off and landing capabilities open up entirely new routes. Imagine traveling up to 175 kilometers at speeds of 250 kilometers per hour, saving valuable time compared to traditional options. This technology also tackles traffic congestion head-on. Business travelers and exhibition attendees will benefit tremendously from the ease and speed of electric aircraft, allowing them to seamlessly attend and participate in events. These innovative vehicles will also be a game-changer for tourism, sports, and entertainment, offering a premium travel experience for these exciting destinations.”
Klaus Roewe, CEO of Lilium, said: “We are proud of our partnership with a market leading airline such as Saudia. And we are thrilled to be pioneering progress in the eVTOL industry as the eVTOL manufacturer with the largest reported firm purchase order from an international airline that plans to operate the aircraft. The Middle East is a priority for Lilium, and Saudi Arabia will be a very large and exciting market for electric, high-speed regional air mobility. Our partnership will combine Saudia Group’s significant market knowledge with our unique eVTOL technology to transform premium class air travel in the GCC region.”
The aviation company will receive the first jets in 2026, and the operations will be managed and run by Saudia Private, its subsidiary, Lilium said.
About Lilium
Lilium (NASDAQ: LILM) is creating a sustainable and accessible mode of high-speed, regional transportation for people and goods. Using the Lilium Jet, an all-electric vertical take-off and landing jet, designed to offer leading capacity, low noise, and high performance with zero operating emissions, Lilium is accelerating the decarbonization of air travel. Working with aerospace, technology, and infrastructure leaders, and with announced sales and indications of interest in Europe, the United States, China, Brazil, UK, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Lilium’s 1,000+ strong team includes approximately 500 aerospace engineers and a leadership team responsible for delivering some of the most successful aircraft in aviation history. Founded in 2015, Lilium’s headquarters and manufacturing facilities are outside Munich, Germany, with teams based across Europe and the U.S.
About Saudia Group
Saudia Group is one of the largest aviation conglomerates in the MENA region. The Group drives industry development with its 12 subsidiaries and strategic business units, and offers world-class air transport, cargo services, ground services, logistics, maintenance, catering, private aviation, real estate, training, and medical services. Its most prominent subsidiary is Saudi Arabian Airlines “Saudia”, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia and a leading airline in the Middle East with a fleet of 144 aircraft and servicing more than 100 destinations to and from the Jeddah (JDH) and Riyadh (RUH) airports. Saudia Group also caters to diverse passenger segments through entities like flyadeal for economy travelers, Saudia Private for elite travelers, and the Saudia Royal Fleet for the Saudi Arabia Royal Family. Saudia Technic, the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) division, provides aircraft maintenance and manufacturing across continents, operating across the MENA region. Saudia Academy, the training arm of the group, is the largest aviation training academy in the MENA region.
