Stuttgart to become regional hub for Lilium’s planned German network
- Lilium agrees to add Stuttgart airport as
hub for planned southern German regional network
- Passengers in Baden-Württemberg will fly fully electric – connections also include Munich and Nuremberg
- Ticket prices expected to be comparable to
conventional means of travel
MUNICH, Germany., Oct. 28, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stuttgart Airport is expected to become a hub for regional electric flights with zero operating emissions, following the agreement between Stuttgart Airport and Lilium.
Stuttgart is joining the planned southern German network which already consists of the Munich and Nuremberg airports, as previously announced. The Munich-based aviation company Lilium, positioned to be a global leader in sustainable regional air mobility, has already dedicated part of the planned production of its 7-seater Lilium Jet for the southern German network. Separately, Lilium has planned western German hubs with Cologne/Bonn and Düsseldorf airports and a planned network of 14 locations in Florida (USA), with the first passenger flights projected to take place from 2024 onwards. Lilium has also announced a planned strategic alliance with leading Brazilian airline Azul to build an eVTOL network in Brazil, expected to start in 2025.
Together with the future landing site operators, Lilium has carried out a number of specific studies in recent years on issues in regards to location choice, infrastructure and airspace integration, including use cases and routes, to confirm the feasibility of regional air traffic with eVTOL aircrafts. The aim is to offer fully-electric connections within a few years, with up to six passengers able to travel between the hubs on each Lilium Jet. Ticket prices are expected to be comparable to conventional means of transport in the medium term.
Dr. Florian Stegmann, Minister of State and Head of the State Chancellery of the State of Baden-Württemberg stated: “The State of Baden-Württemberg supports the project to better connect southern German locations such as Stuttgart Airport through a new electric jet mobility network. We see the opportunities that such modern mobility concepts can bring for our country. What is certain is that flying in the future must be climate-friendly and safe."
Dr. Arina Freitag, Managing Director
of Flughafen Stuttgart GmbH:
“We want people in our region to get to
their destinations in the best possible way and to have a wide choice of
modes of transport. That is why we are developing Stuttgart Airport into a
unique hub for sustainable and innovative forms of mobility. The regional
and supra-regional high-speed connections with small electric aircraft,
such as those planned by Lilium, are a very promising addition to the
Stuttgart location."
Lilium CEO Daniel Wiegand commented: “I am thrilled that my home of Baden-Württemberg is joining the southern German Lilium operating network. Fully-electric and ultra-quiet Lilium Jets will connect passengers from Stuttgart, Munich and Nuremberg more closely with neighboring cities and regions. Sustainable travel and time savings for all travelers is part of our mission. We see that as the key to transforming mobility.”
Minister of State Dr. Florian Herrmann, Head of the Bavarian State Chancellery, sees great opportunities for electric air mobility: “Electric air shuttles are innovative, environmentally conscious and set the tone for our future. They open up completely new ways of travelling and can enrich our mobility with a state-of-the-art alternative. The Bavarian State Government therefore supports efforts to bring about electric air mobility. With the Air Mobility Initiative Bavaria as part of our Bavarian high-tech agenda, we will provide €100 million in the coming years for research and development of new forms of urban air mobility,” explained Herrmann. "By building a network across transport systems, we create great potential for quiet, emission-free and fast mobility."
The Lilium Jet, under development for several years, will offer high-speed connections for six passengers and one pilot. With a projected maximum range of 250 km and a cruise speed of 280 km/h, the Lilium Jet has the potential to become a market leader for both passenger and cargo transport. The all-electric jet, which is currently undergoing concurrent type certification processes with EASA and the FAA, will fly with zero operating emissions. The first passenger services are projected to launch in 2024.
The development efforts between Stuttgart Airport and Lilium remain subject to the parties finalizing commercial terms and definitive documentation relating thereto.
About Stuttgart Airport:
Stuttgart Airport is
Baden-Württemberg's largest transport hub. Under the framework of fairport
STR, the Baden-Württemberg regional airport’s goal is to be one of the
most successful and sustainable airports in Europe in the long term.
About Lilium:
Lilium (NASDAQ: LILM) is creating a
sustainable and accessible mode of high-speed, regional transportation for
people and goods. Using the 7-Seater Lilium Jet, an all-electric vertical
take-off and landing jet, offering 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 planned launch networks announced in
Germany, the United States and Brazil, commercial operations are projected
to begin in 2024. Lilium’s 700+ strong team includes approximately 400
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.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release
contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
federal securities laws, including, but not limited to, statements
regarding Lilium N.V.’s proposed business and business model, the markets
and industry in which Lilium N.V. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the
“Lilium Group”) intend to operate and the anticipated timing of the
commercialization and launch of the Lilium Group’s business. These
forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words
“believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,”
“estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,”
“opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,”
“would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,”
and similar expressions. Such statements are based on management’s belief
or interpretation of information currently available. 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 subject to risk and
uncertainties and subject to change at any time. The Lilium Group will
operate in a rapidly changing emerging industry. New risks emerge every
day. Given these risks and uncertainties, you should not rely on or place
undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Actual events or
results may differ materially from those contained in the projections or
forward-looking statements. Many factors could cause actual future events
to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press
release, including, but not limited to, the following risks: (i) the impact
of COVID19 on Lilium’s business or the business combination; (ii) the
Lilium Group’s ability to realize the anticipated benefits of its recent
business combination with Qell Acquisition Corp.; (iii) the Lilium
Group’s ability to implement business plans, operating models, forecasts
and other expectations and identify and realize additional business
opportunities; (iv) the Lilium Group’s and its partners’ inability to
achieve anticipated specifications for the Lilium jet and any related
infrastructure, (v) the failure of the Lilium Group and its current and
future business partners to successfully develop and commercialize the
Lilium Group’s business or significant delays in its ability to do so and
(vi) the Lilium Group’s inability to secure or protect its intellectual
property. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. 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 the Lilium Group
assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise. A further list and description of risks, uncertainties
and other matters can be found in the section titled “Risk Factors” in
our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, all of which
are available at www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements attributable
to Lilium or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in
their entirety by this cautionary statement.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Meredith Bell
+41794325770
Meredith.bell@lilium.com
press@lilium.com
Dr. Rainer
Ohler (für Lilium)
+49 172 489 0353
rainer.ohler@seniorstrategists.com
press@lilium.com