The German startup has already named multiple German cities and airports in their initial plans.
Lllium vertiport Vertiport Credit: Lilium
Lilium has added Stuttgart Airport to its planned network of regional air mobility hubs in southern Germany.
The German startup has already named Munich and Nuremberg airports as hubs in that area and Cologne-Bonn and Dusseldorf airports in western Germany.
The company plans to launch operations in Germany by the end of 2024 with its Lilium Jet-piloted, six-passenger electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) air taxi. Lilium is also planning to begin operations in Florida by the end of 2024, and in Brazil in 2025 with local airline Azul.
The ducted-fan, vectored-thrust Lilium Jet is expected to have a maximum range, including reserves, of 250 km (155 mi.) and cruise speed of 280 kph (175 mph) when it enters service. Lilium aims to compete with high-speed rail for regional transport and is looking to add more cities to its German network.
The company is planning a network of 14 locations in Florida and is working with Spanish infrastructure company Ferrovial, which intends to build and operate 10 vertiports in the state. Along with UK eVTOL startup Vertical Aerospace, Lilium is also collaborating with Ferrovial on its plans to build a network of more than 25 vertiports in the UK. Ferrovial is a shareholder in London Heathrow and other UK airports.