Lilium, a developer of eVTOL jets, has announced a strategic partnership that will bring advanced air mobility operations to the South of France, potentially paving the way for the region to become the first in Europe to offer regional eVTOL travel. The partnership, forged with Italian vertiport network operator UrbanV and Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur (ACA), aims to establish a vertiport network across the French Riviera.
The South of France, a popular tourist destination attracting 11 million visitors annually, is set to benefit from the new partnership. Franck Goldnadel, Chairman of the Board for Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur, emphasized the significance of this collaboration in advancing regional air mobility and reducing carbon emissions.
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He stated, “Our territory offers a unique opportunity to fly over the sea to directly connect the main economic, cultural, or tourist destinations. A complementary alternative to the helicopter, the eVTOL has its place in the air transport offered from Nice Côte d’Azur, laboratory of the airport of tomorrow, second platform in France and gateway to and exit from a landlocked territory.”
Lilium’s eVTOL jets, which recently received design authorization from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), will be integrated into the vertiport network, enabling efficient and eco-friendly travel between key destinations such as Monaco, Nice, Cannes, Golfe de Saint-Tropez, Aix-en-Provence, and Marseille.
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Sebastien Borel, Chief Commercial Officer of Lilium, expressed pride in the company’s role in establishing the first regional eVTOL network in the South of France and the first commercially viable network in the EU. He remarked, “As a truly European company based in Munich, Germany, with flight testing in Spain and with nascent roots in France, Lilium is extremely proud to be able to assist in the creation of the first regional eVTOL network in the South of France and the first commercially viable network in the EU. We see an enormous potential in this region and cannot wait to see our Lilium Jet fly there soon!”
The partnership aims to commence eVTOL operations in the South of France by 2026. In addition to Nice Côte d’Azur airport, other locations such as Cannes Mandelieu Airport and Golfe de Saint-Tropez Airport are expected to host eVTOL vertiports, with further expansion plans in the region.
