Saudia signs deal to buy 100 flying shuttles from Germany's Lilium (updated)

Lilium NV

18/07/2024 09:55

(Adds details on deal, background from paragraph 4)
       MUNICH, July 18 (Reuters) - Saudia Group signed a deal
with Lilium  LILM.O  on Thursday to purchase 100 all-electric
flying shuttles, the Germany-based air taxi developer said, one
of the company's biggest orders yet as it works to develop the
aircraft.
    The Saudi state-owned airline made a firm order for 50 of
Lilium's electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) Jets
with an option for an additional 50 later, Lilium said.
    The first aircraft are expected to join the Saudi
state-owned airline's fleet in 2026.
    The deal-signing took place at Lilium's headquarters outside
Munich during a trip by Saudia executives to Germany.
        The value of the deal was not given.
  
        Delays in the delivery of testing equipment and other
parts have forced Lilium to push back the first manned flight of
its vertical take-off aircraft until the beginning of next year,
it said on Wednesday.
  
        Lilium is competing in a crowded market for eVTOL
vehicles, hoping to replace road trips or short hops by aircraft
or helicopters.
  
        According to Saudia, it will use the air shuttles to
transport pilgrims between Mecca and Jeddah, and to transport
guests to major sporting events in the capital Riyadh as well as
tourist destinations.
  

 (Reporting by Alexander Huebner in Munich, Writing by Rachel
More, Editing by Madeline Chambers)
 ((rachel.more@thomsonreuters.com;))