German airline Lufthansa and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft manufacturer Lilium have signed a letter of intent to explore a strategic partnership for the operation of eVTOLs in Europe. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aims to pave the way for collaboration on various aspects of eVTOL operation, including ground and flight operations, aircraft maintenance, crewing, flight training, and infrastructure.
Lufthansa, with a current fleet of over 700 commercial aircraft, is focused on long-term strategies to enhance cost efficiency and reduce emissions. The airline group has set ambitious environmental goals, aiming to halve its net CO2 emissions by 2030 compared to 2019 and achieve a neutral CO2 balance by 2050. The partnership with Lilium, a key player in the eVTOL industry, aligns with Lufthansa’s commitment to driving industry transformation.
The collaboration will involve discussions on potential innovations in aviation, exploring opportunities for infrastructure development, including vertiports and airspace integration, and defining operational processes. Both companies express a shared interest in contributing to the evolution of aviation and providing eVTOL flight options to Lufthansa Group customers.
Lilium, which recently announced the commencement of production for its Lilium Jet, intends to use the initial units for flight tests to obtain type certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The strategic partnership with Lufthansa is expected to contribute to Lilium’s vision of advancing eVTOL technology and facilitating its integration into commercial aviation.
