Lilium Debuts Jet in U.S. at Houston Hobby Airport and Signs Infrastructure Partnership with Galaxy FBO

Rhea-AI Summary

Lilium (NASDAQ: LILM), a leader in electric aircraft manufacturing and Regional Air Mobility, is introducing the Lilium Jet to the U.S. market. This fully electric jet, capable of vertical takeoff and landing, is designed for regional travel with an initial operating range of about 110 miles. Galaxy FBO is partnering with Lilium to provide infrastructure at Houston-area facilities, including Houston Hobby Airport, Conroe North Houston Regional Airport, and The Woodlands Heliport.

Houston-based EMCJET has secured production slots and will be involved in the first customer deliveries starting in 2026. The Greater Houston Partnership is collaborating with Galaxy FBO and Lilium to discuss the potential of electric aviation in the region. Lilium is progressing towards FAA validation and plans to display the Lilium Jet at the 2024 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition in Las Vegas. The company is preparing for its first piloted flight of the Lilium Jet in early 2025.

Positive

• Lilium is debuting its fully electric Lilium Jet in the U.S. market, expanding its presence
• Partnership with Galaxy FBO provides key infrastructure for Lilium Jet operations in the Houston area
• EMCJET has secured production slots and will be involved in first customer deliveries starting in 2026
• Lilium is actively progressing towards FAA validation for U.S. operations
• First piloted flight of the Lilium Jet is scheduled for early 2025

Negative

• Initial operating range of the Lilium Jet is to about 110 miles
• Customer deliveries are not expected to start until 2026

Insights

Aerospace Industry Analyst

The debut of Lilium's electric jet in the U.S. marks a significant milestone for the company and the emerging eVTOL industry. While impressive, it's important to note that Lilium is still in the pre-revenue stage, with first customer deliveries not expected until 2026. The partnership with Galaxy FBO for infrastructure and EMCJET for sales is promising, but the company faces substantial challenges ahead.

Key points to consider:

• The 110-mile range is suitable for regional travel but may limit broader adoption initially.
• FAA certification is important and still pending, which adds regulatory uncertainty.
• The 2026 delivery timeline suggests a long runway before potential revenue generation.
• Partnerships in Houston demonstrate market interest but don't guarantee commercial success.

Investors should closely monitor Lilium's progress towards certification, production scalability and pre-order conversions. While the technology is promising, the path to profitability remains uncertain in this capital-intensive sector.

Electric Aviation Expert

Lilium's U.S. debut is a pivotal moment for the electric aviation industry. The Lilium Jet's design, optimized for regional travel with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, could revolutionize short-haul transportation. However, several technical and market challenges remain:

• Battery technology must advance to improve range and payload capacity.
• Infrastructure development, as partnered with Galaxy FBO, is important but still in early stages.
• Public acceptance and safety perceptions of eVTOL aircraft will be critical for adoption.
• Competition from other eVTOL companies and traditional aviation may intensify.

The planned first piloted flight in early 2025 will be a critical test of Lilium's technology. While the company shows promise, investors should be aware of the long development cycle and high capital requirements typical in aviation innovation.

• Houston-based aircraft brokerage EMCJET will showcase the Lilium Jet for the very first time in the U.S. at Galaxy FBO
• Galaxy FBO is partnering with Lilium to ensure accessibility for the Lilium Jet at their Houston-area facilities – Houston Hobby Airport, Conroe North Houston Regional Airport, and The Woodlands Heliport
• Lilium is collaborating with The Greater Houston Partnership to host a discussion with industry leaders on how electric aviation will revolutionize regional travel in the Houston area
  

HOUSTON, Sept. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lilium (NASDAQ: LILM), a leading electric aircraft manufacturer and pioneer in Regional Air Mobility (RAM), is today debuting the Lilium Jet, the world's first fully electric jet that can take off and land vertically, to the U.S. market. The Lilium Jet is designed and optimized for regional travel with an aerodynamic shape and ducted electric fans that prioritize efficiency and speed during forward flight. With an anticipated initial operating range of roughly 110 miles, the Lilium Jet will be capable of quickly connecting Houstonians to the broader region, with routes like Houston Hobby Airport to Galveston, Houston Spaceport to College Station, The Woodlands to Galveston, and others. Galaxy FBO’s Houston-area facilities at Houston Hobby, Conroe North Houston Regional Airport, and The Woodlands Heliport will be key infrastructure for Lilium Jet operators in the Houston area.

Jeremy Gee, CEO of Galaxy FBO, said: “We are excited to transform Galaxy FBO into a cutting-edge hub for the eVTOL innovation. As the future of electric aviation takes flight, this marks a significant step in making Houston a leader in sustainable and efficient transportation solutions. Our team is proud to support Lilium's revolutionary mode of travel that will connect Greater Houston in ways never thought possible."

Houston-based EMCJET has secured production slots from Lilium as part of a broader partnership agreement and is poised to be involved in the first round of customer deliveries starting in 2026. Memo Montemayor, Founder & CEO of EMCJET, said, “Our clients want to own the future of aviation and, with our partnership with Lilium, they can do just that. With a spacious cabin, luxurious finishes, and vertical takeoff and landing capability, the Lilium Jet meets our clients’ needs to travel safely, sustainably, and comfortably.”

To showcase the transformative potential of the Lilium Jet and the broader electric aviation landscape, the Greater Houston Partnership, the region's largest chamber of commerce, is collaborating with Galaxy FBO and Lilium for an engaging discussion with policymakers and industry leaders. Kevin Tipton, Senior Director for Aerospace & Aviation at the Greater Houston Partnership, expressed enthusiasm about this collaboration, stating, “Houston is home to the world’s leading aerospace companies, and we’re thrilled to welcome Lilium and this next generation of aviation technology. Together, we’re on the brink of something groundbreaking for our region.”

Matthew Broffman, Lilium’s VP of Commercial, Americas said, “Lilium is serious about expanding in the U.S. and actively progressing towards FAA validation. As part of our commitment to working with communities across the U.S. and expanding our customer base, we’re excited to showcase our aircraft for the first time in Houston, a city with a proud legacy of aerospace innovation in America.”

Next month, the Lilium Jet will be displayed at the 2024 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas. Lilium is preparing for its first piloted flight of the Lilium Jet in early 2025.

Contact information for media:
Sam Polstein
+1.646.477.8893
sam.polstein@lilium.com

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; and (iii) the Lilium Group’s progress towards type certification (and type certificate validation) of its Lilium Jet with EASA and the FAA; and (iv) the Lilium Group’s commercial strategy in Houston and the U.S., as well as its partnership with Galaxy FBO as each is 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.

FAQ

What is the initial operating range of the Lilium Jet?

The Lilium Jet has an anticipated initial operating range of approximately 110 miles.

When will Lilium (LILM) start customer deliveries of the Lilium Jet?

Lilium plans to start the first round of customer deliveries in 2026.

Where will the Lilium Jet be displayed in the U.S. in 2024?

The Lilium Jet will be displayed at the 2024 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas.

Which company is partnering with Lilium for infrastructure in the Houston area?

Galaxy FBO is partnering with Lilium to provide infrastructure for Lilium Jet operations at their Houston-area facilities.

When is Lilium (LILM) planning the first piloted flight of the Lilium Jet?

Lilium is preparing for its first piloted flight of the Lilium Jet in early 2025.