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Miami, Florida – Lilium NV (NASDAQ:LILM), developer of the first all-electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (“eVTOL”) and global pioneer in regional air mobility (RAM), yesterday announced their partnership with an advanced air mobility operator (AAM ) UrbanLink will operate Lilium Jets in South Florida. As part of the agreement, UrbanLink will purchase 20 Lilium Jets, with scheduled upfront payments, and become the first airline in the U.S. fully committed to integrating eVTOL aircraft into its fleet.
The newly launched UrbanLink is led by Ed Wegel, a seasoned aviation executive with 40 years of experience in financing, operations and distribution. Wegel has raised more than $1 billion for aerospace companies and has led FAA certifications for two U.S. Part 135 airlines and several U.S. Part 121 airlines, including achieving the 2014 certification of Eastern Air Lines' 737-800 fleet in a record-breaking eight months. Most recently, Wegel served as CEO and founder of GlobalX, America's fastest growing charter airline. Wegel has also served as a board member for private and public airlines, including Atlantic Coast Airlines, BWIA International Airlines and Eastern Airlines. He was also a key developer of JetBlue's original business plan.
Wegel said: “While many airlines have discussed the possibilities of operating eVTOL aircraft, none have made a definitive commitment. UrbanLink will provide the first airline in the US to integrate eVTOL aircraft into its fleet. We are committed to revolutionizing the way people move to and from urban cores. After a thorough evaluation of several manufacturers, we concluded that the Lilium Jet was the optimal choice for our needs, thanks to its superior cabin design, range, capacity and cost-effectiveness.”
Lilium's partnership with UrbanLink marks a critical milestone in accelerating AAM adoption in South Florida. UrbanLink's entry into the region includes plans to leverage the network of Florida vertiports that Lilium and its partners have been diligently building over the past five years.
UrbanLink sees eVTOLs as a key driver for sustainable regional connectivity throughout South Florida. The Lilium Jet, with its planned launch range, is poised to make this vision a reality by connecting major cities such as Miami, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale and stretching seamlessly across the peninsula to Marco Island. The service is scheduled to launch in 2026.
Sebastien Borel, Chief Commercial Officer of Lilium, said: “We are proud that UrbanLink has selected the Lilium Jet for its network and operations. This is a huge milestone not only for Lilium, but also for the commercialization of eVTOLs in the US. We believe this purchase of eVTOL aircraft is the first by a commercial operator that does not invest in the manufacturer it purchases from. This is a sign that the eVTOL aircraft market has matured and there is growing demand for aircraft that can provide connections between, rather than just within, cities. I know Ed has the vision and operational expertise to make regional air mobility a success.”
This order follows the start of assembly of the first Lilium Jet at the end of last year, with the first pilot flight test of the Lilium Jet scheduled to take place at the end of 2024.
About Lilium:
Lilium (NASDAQ: LILM) creates a sustainable and accessible form of rapid, regional transportation for people and goods. Using the Lilium Jet, an all-electric vertical take-off and landing jet designed to deliver industry-leading capacity, low noise and high performance with zero operational emissions, Lilium is accelerating the decarbonization of air travel. In partnership with leaders in aerospace, technology and infrastructure, and with announced sales and indications of interest in Europe, the United States, China, Brazil, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , Lilium's team of more than 950 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 located in Munich, Germany, with teams spread across Europe and the US. For more information, visit www.lilium.com.
About UrbanLink:
UrbanLink is a South Florida-based advanced air mobility (AAM) company committed to revolutionizing urban transportation through innovative air mobility solutions. Led by aviation industry veteran Ed Wegel, UrbanLink is committed to creating smarter, more efficient transportation systems that improve connectivity and sustainability in South Florida and beyond. UrbanLink is currently positioned to be the first provider of all electric, zero-emission AAM solutions is poised to make history as the first U.S. airline to integrate electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft into its fleet. For more information, visit www.flyurbanlink.com.
Press release from Lily
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