Aviation

Saudia to buy 50 air taxis from Germany’s Lilium

July 18, 2024, 12:52 PM

Saudi and Lilium signed an agreement this week for 50 air taxis with an option for 50 more — Saudia and Lilium signed an agreement this week for 50 air taxis with an option for 50 more

Saudia buying Lilium pilotless taxis
Will ‘unlock new possibilities’
Luxury experience for 6 passengers

Saudi national carrier Saudia has agreed to buy at least 50 pilotless electric flying vehicles from Germany’s Lilium in the region’s biggest “air taxi” deal so far.

The deal for what the industry calls electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft is Saudia’s second major order this year.

In May Saudia ordered 105 Airbus aircraft, 51 of which will go to Saudia’s low-cost subsidiary Flyadeal. The first batch are due in 2026, when a second national carrier, the Public Investment Fund-owned Riyadh Air, will also launch.

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Saudia said it would use the eVTOL craft, which are also due to start arriving in 2026, in sports and tourism.

“These jets will support Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages, offer faster access to key sports and entertainment events in Riyadh, and unlock new possibilities for exploring hard-to-reach tourist destinations across the kingdom,” it said in a statement. It did not give a price.

The jets, operated by a subsidiary called Saudia Private, will have a capacity of six passengers plus luggage and will be pitched as a luxury experience. The deal includes an option for Saudia to buy 50 more.

Lilium says it now has an order pipeline of 106 firm orders and reservations, 76 options and roughly 600 aircraft under memorandums of understanding.

Growing interest

Saudi Arabia and the UAE are rushing to be at the forefront of the air taxi phenomenon.

In June Saudi Arabia did a trial run of unmanned air taxis during the Hajj pilgrimage. Saudi-owned Front End conducted the air taxi trial using eVTOL craft from Chinese drone maker EHang.

Saudi giga-project city Neom plans to launch its own commercial flying taxis in 2026 using German manufacturer Volocopter.

In June Abu Dhabi-backed eVTOL manufacturer Archer Aviation received certification from the US Federal Aviation Authority. It is seeking approvals to launch flights by the end of 2025 from Dubai to Abu Dhabi.

US company Joby Aviation has revealed plans to launch air taxi services in Dubai in 2025, while in March Dubai-based Aviterra signed a deal with Dutch company PAL-V to launch “flying cars” across the Middle East and Africa.

A report from consultancy MarketsandMarkets has predicted that the global flying car market will grow from $74 million in 2022 to $921 million by 2030.