Saudi Arabian airline operator Saudia Group has signed a binding sales agreement to purchase 50 Lilium Jets from German electric aircraft manufacturer Lilium, and has an option to purchase 50 more.

The sales agreement follows a memorandum of understanding the two companies signed in October 2022. The agreement includes a schedule of deposit and pre-delivery payments, a timeline of future deliveries, guarantees on aircraft performance, and provisions on spare parts, maintenance and repairs. The companies also intend to sign a Lilium POWER ON agreement for aircraft fleet maintenance and support services.

The jets will provide first- and last-leg connections into Saudia’s regional hubs and new point-to-point city connections, such as Jeddah to Makkah, which could reduce regional travel times by up to 90%. Saudia expects to receive the first jets in 2026. They will feature large, premium cabins with capacity for up to six passengers plus luggage.

Saudia will support Lilium in its certification process with the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Saudi Arabia’s aviation regulatory agency.

Lilium has a pipeline of 106 firm orders and reservations, 76 options, and roughly 600 aircraft under MOU.

“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 air travel in the GCC region,” said Klaus Roewe, CEO of Lilium.

Source: Lilium