Lilium this week made its eVTOL aircraft available for purchase by U.S. private owners through an agreement with aircraft management and charter group EMC Jet. Under an agreement announced on October 18, EMC Jet committed to taking five of the four-passenger Pioneer Edition versions of the all-electric Lilium Jet and to act as the German manufacturer’s exclusive private sales dealer in Texas where it is based through 2030.
The deal appears similar in structure to the one Lilium reached with UK-based private aviation group Volare, which has committed to acquiring up to 20 of the Pioneer Edition with a view to remarketing these to private owners. Volare will operate the aircraft through its new eVolare division, and is one of several European companies with which Lilium has reached commercial terms to offer the Lilium Jet to business aviation customers.
EMC Jet will make undisclosed advanced payments for the five Lilium Jets based on a list price of $10 million that includes a service and warranty package. The company plans to operate the aircraft on behalf of owners under its Part 91 certificate, with its pilots being trained and approved under pending FAA regulations for eVTOL flight crew.
Lilium has previously indicated that it aims to take orders for an initial batch of 50 of this version of the Lilium Jet, collecting pre-delivery payments amounting to 50 percent of the purchase price. The manufacturer told AIN its dealer network has now made financial commitments for 36 Pioneer Edition delivery slots and is holding discussions with other prospective buyers.
According to Lilium, it intends to prioritize sales to the private aviation sector ahead of booking orders with airlines and “passenger shuttle” operators. “Dealers and aircraft management companies are eager to partner with Lilium on jet sales to help decarbonize general aviation and provide an elevated flying experience, all while being incredibly efficient to operate,” said Lilium’s chief commercial officer Sebastien Borel.
More Space In the Pioneer Edition Cabin
The Pioneer Edition features a more spacious cabin than the standard six-passenger Lilium Jet, which is to be used for commercial air services. Lilium will give owners some opportunity to customize certain interior design details.
Houston-based EMC Jet, which also acts as a broker to arrange pre-owned private jet purchases, intends to focus its marketing efforts for the Lilium Jet on major Texas cities, also including Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. It has not yet confirmed whether it will be directly involved in operating the eVTOL vehicles for owners or offering them for charter flights.
“EMC Jet is excited to be at the forefront of introducing Lilium’s groundbreaking eVTOL technology to the Texas and U.S. markets,” commented Memo Montemayor, the company’s founder and CEO. “Our client-first mentality ensures that we deliver the superior value and expert attention required in making sound private aviation investments and introducing our clients to the most innovative modern technology for current and future market practices.”
Lilium is aiming to complete EASA type certification by the end of 2025 and be ready to start deliveries in 2026. Last week, it reported that, with its partners GKN Aerospace and Rosenberger, it has completed manufacturing of the first electrical harness for the Lilium Jet, for which it intends to start flight testing a full-scale prototype in 2024.
