- GACA, the Saudi Arabian civil aviation regulator, and Lilium have agreed on a shared approach to eVTOL regulations.
- This includes establishing a joint Working Group that covers all relevant regulatory topics and an Innovative Air Mobility (IAM) regulatory action plan for Saudi Arabia.
- The goal is to collaboratively develop and implement the necessary eVTOL regulations in preparation for potential operational Entry Into Service in 2026.
FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom, July 22, 2024 — The Saudi Arabian General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and Lilium N.V. (NASDAQ: LILM), a leading electric aircraft manufacturer and pioneer in Regional Air Mobility (RAM), signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) today at the Farnborough International Airshow. This agreement outlines a plan to develop and implement the necessary regulations for eVTOL operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with an anticipated launch date of 2026.
The partnership will begin by forming a joint Working Group to prepare the regulations for the introduction of regional electric air mobility in Saudi Arabia. This group will be comprised of dedicated sub-working groups focusing on infrastructure, air operations, airworthiness, and airspace integration. Led by GACA and strongly supported by Lilium, these sub-groups will collaboratively discuss, accelerate, develop, and implement the required regulatory and procedural framework.
Saudi Arabia has recognized the significant growth potential of eVTOL and aims to take a decisive step towards integrating these new modes of transportation into its existing traffic and airspace structures by 2026. This ambition is outlined in their published Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Roadmap. Lilium has been actively engaging with GACA in recent years, providing support for the development of the regulatory framework and procedures essential for safe eVTOL operation in Saudi Arabia.
Lilium brings extensive knowledge of regulatory development, processes, and relevant legislation gathered through participation in various ICAO Working Groups (such as ICAO AAM SG and ICAO VFIWG), EASA Working Groups (such as RMT.230, including active participation and contribution to EASA PTS-VPT-DSN and EASA Part-IAM), EUROCAE Working Groups, discussions with the FAA and ANAC, and engagement with similar national approaches across Europe. With this background, Lilium will collaborate with GACA within the dedicated joint Working Group for Saudi Arabia.
This Working Group will serve as an expert panel to identify, address, and define action items for the implementation of IAM in Saudi Arabia. Its focus will be on regulatory, legislative, and procedural aspects.
His Excellency Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, President of GACA, stated: “This agreement reflects GACA’s commitment to advancing innovative and sustainable air mobility solutions for Saudi Arabia, in support of Vision 2030. By working with global advanced air mobility companies, we aim to establish a robust regulatory framework that ensures the safe and efficient operation of eVTOL aircraft.”
Lilium CEO Klaus Roewe emphasized: “We are very grateful that GACA has chosen Lilium to develop and implement the regulatory framework for eVTOL in Saudi Arabia. This selection acknowledges Lilium’s expertise in aviation regulation. Our goal is to jointly advance regulatory and practical steps to create suitable framework conditions for electric aviation and our customers in Saudi Arabia. Today’s MoU delivers on one of the essential ingredients required for successful eVTOL operations – a clear path to all relevant regulatory milestones.”
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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, the UK, the United Arab Emirates, 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 in Munich, Germany, with teams based across Europe and the U.S. To learn more, visit www.lilium.com.
Lilium Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward‐looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws, including, but not limited to, statements regarding: (i) Lilium N.V.’s and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Lilium Group”) proposed business and business model; (ii) the markets and industry in which the Lilium Group operates or intends to operate; (iii) the Lilium Group’s progress towards type certification (and type certificate validation) of its Lilium Jet with EASA and GACA; and (iv) the Lilium Group’s collaboration with GACA as described herein. These forward‐looking statements generally are identified by the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “expect,” “estimate,” “future,” “intend,” “may,” “on track,” “plan,” “project,” “should,” “strategy,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections, and other statements about future events that are based on management’s current expectations with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and are subject to risk and uncertainties that are subject to change at any time. Actual events or results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release include those risks and uncertainties discussed in Lilium’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including in the section titled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 20‐F for the year ended December 31, 2023, on file with the SEC, and similarly titled sections in Lilium’s other SEC filings, all of which are available at www.sec.gov. Forward‐looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. You are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Lilium assumes no obligation to, and does not intend to, update, or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.