The Lilium Jet, one of the leading electric vehicle takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, has made its debut in the United States (US) as new contracts with Houston-based aviation firms are being agreed.
The Lilium Jet was showcased at operator Galaxy FBO’s Houston William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) hangar on September 26, 2024, in collaboration with Greater Houston Partnership, the region’s largest chamber of commerce, at an event attended by aviation industry leaders.
Galaxy FBO is partnering with Lilium to provide regional connectivity in the area, with routes between Houston Hobby Airport to Galveston, Houston Spaceport to College Station, The Woodlands to Galveston amongst those currently at the planning stage.
Galaxy FBO’s Houston-area facilities at Houston Hobby, Conroe North Houston Regional Airport, and the Woodlands Heliport will be key infrastructure for Lilium Jet operators in the Houston area.
Jeremy Gee, CEO of Galaxy FBO, said: “We are excited to transform Galaxy FBO into a cutting-edge hub for the eVTOL innovation. As the future of electric aviation takes flight, this marks a significant step in making Houston a leader in sustainable and efficient transportation solutions. Our team is proud to support Lilium’s revolutionary mode of travel that will connect Greater Houston in ways never thought possible.”
Additionally, Lilium has reached an agreement with EMCJET, an aircraft brokerage and management company, for the Houston-based firm to be among the first round of customers when deliveries of the eVTOL aircraft begin in 2026.
Memo Montemayor, Founder and CEO of EMCJET, said: “Our clients want to own the future of aviation and, with our partnership with Lilium, they can do just that. With a spacious cabin, luxurious finishes, and vertical takeoff and landing capability, the Lilium Jet meets our clients’ needs to travel safely, sustainably, and comfortably.”
The Lilium Jet team has designed and optimized the aircraft for regional travel, with an anticipated initial operating range of roughly 110 miles.
“Houston is home to the world’s leading aerospace companies, and we’re thrilled to welcome Lilium and this next generation of aviation technology. Together, we’re on the brink of something groundbreaking for our region,” Kevin Tipton, Senior Director for Aerospace and Aviation at the Greater Houston Partnership, said.
So far, Lilium has formed agreements with aviation companies in Europe, the United States, China, Brazil, the UK, the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
In July 2024, Lilium and Saudia confirmed that the flag carrier of Saudi Arabia had signed a binding sales agreement for 50 Lilium Jets, with options for the purchase of 50 more.
In a recent interview, Lilium’s CEO Klaus Roewe told AeroTime that he believes the Lilium Jet will operate within the high-end tourism sector during its first three years of operation.
Beyond those first three years, Roewe anticipates that the six-seater model will become more prominent as demand grows for the shuttling of customers from airports and between cities.
Roewe estimates that, in the long term, 85% to 90% of sales will be for the six-seater and 10% to 15% for the four-seater option.
Next month, the Lilium Jet will be displayed at the 2024 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas.