Lilium Partners With Azul To Expand eVTOL Into Brazil

摘要

German regional air mobility startup Lilium is moving into Brazil, signing a memorandum of understanding with Azul for the acquisition of 220 Lilium Jets valued at $1 billion. Sao Paulo-based Azul is the first airline to opt for the seven-seat electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) aircraft.Lilium and Azul also have agreed conditionally to form a strategic partnership to develop a regional highspeed transportation system in Brazil, with operations expected to begin in 2025. The deal is subject to final contractual confirmation, and the memorandum of understanding (MOU) is expected to be turned into a firm order by the end of 2021, says Lilium Chief Strategy Officer Alexander Asseily. Lilium already plans to launch its own regional air mobility networks in Germany and Florida in 2025. European networks are to be operated by Luxembourg-based business aircraft operator Luxaviation Group, while Lilium will work with a U.S. air operator's certificate holder to set up the Florida network.