Vertiport developer UrbanV will work with Lilium to establish ground infrastructure for eVTOL aircraft operations in Italy and the south of France. The companies announced their partnership on Wednesday, saying the collaboration could potentially expand to other markets for the six-passenger Lilium aircraft.
According to Italy-based UrbanV, the company already has access to airports in Rome, Venice, Bologna, Nice, Cannes, St Tropez, and other locations along the French Riviera. The new eVTOL aircraft will operate from sites around the same size as current helipads but equipped to recharge the electric vehicles.
“At UrbanV, we aim to improve people’s lives by enabling a fast, efficient, safe, and clean alternative to existing transport solutions,” said company chairman Ivan Bassato. “With our vertiport networks, we are building a technology-agnostic platform for operators to provide new and innovative zero-emission transport services.”
With a range of 155 miles, Lilium sees its aircraft supporting new regional air services, rather than the shorter intra-urban trips intended for many eVTOL aircraft.