German eVTOL aircraft developer Lilium is laying the foundation for an air taxi network in Texas through a new partnership with Galaxy FBO, which will ensure that its three Houston-area facilities have the infrastructure necessary to support operations of the all-electric Lilium Jet. The fixed-base operator (FBO) has locations at William P. Hobby Airport (KHOU), Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport (KCXO), and The Woodlands Heliport.
To celebrate the infrastructure deal and introduce the Lilium Jet to the local community, Lilium showcased the aircraft at KHOU last week in partnership with Galaxy FBO and EMC Jet, a Houston-based charter group that has agreed to be Lilium’s exclusive private sales dealer in Texas.
“As the future of electric aviation takes flight, this marks a significant step in making Houston a leader in sustainable and efficient transportation solutions,” said Jeremy Gee, CEO of Galaxy FBO. “Our team is proud to support Lilium's revolutionary mode of travel that will connect Greater Houston in ways never thought possible.”
EMC Jet last year committed to purchasing five of the four-passenger Pioneer Edition Lilium Jets, which it plans to operate on behalf of private owners under its Part 91 certificate. The charter company will be among the first customers to receive their Lilium Jets when deliveries begin in 2026, pending type certification from the FAA and EASA.
“Lilium is serious about expanding in the U.S. and actively progressing towards FAA validation,” said Matthew Broffman, head of Lilium’s commercial activities in the Americas. “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.”
Later this month, the Lilium Jet aircraft will be on display in Las Vegas for the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition.
The company plans to conduct the first piloted flight test of a Lilium Jet prototype in early 2025. Over the past two years, it has been flying a pair of its Phoenix full-scale technology demonstrators, which achieved transitions from vertical to horizontal flight and cruise speeds of up to 136 knots. The four- to six-passenger Lilium Jet will have a range of around 110 miles on a single charge.