Lilium

The company was under self-administration from November 2024. In October 2024, Lilium announced that it planned to file for insolvency and government-supervised restructuring. The insolvency filing came after the German Parliament denied its request for a ~USD 55 million loan in October 2024. In November 2024, Lilium appointed KPMG to initiate an M&A process, following the insolvency filing of its German subsidiaries.

Based in Munich, Germany, Lilium is a transportation company that manufactures eVTOL aircraft powered by an electric battery system, making them environmentally friendly and quiet, while providing a fast and efficient mode of transportation for short to medium distances. Unlike traditional rotor-based eVTOLS, Lilium's aircraft feature jet engines, which, according to the company, provide a smoother, faster, and more efficient flight experience, with the ability to travel up to 186 miles on a single charge. The company has planned launch networks announced in Germany, the US, Brazil, and the UK and has teams based across Europe and the US. 

In December 2023, Lilium started production of Lilium-Jet at its 175,000 square-feet facility in Wessling, Germany.

In June 2023, the company received the G-1 Certification basis from the FAA for the type certificate validation of its Lilium Jet. In November 2023, Lilium also received Design Organization Approval from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), making it the only eVTOL manufacturer with both an EASA and FAA certification base for a powered-lift eVTOL aircraft. 

The company was working toward a targeted initial Type Certification in late 2025 and was planning its first manned flight test of the type conforming aircraft for the second half of 2024. In February 2024, Lilium established Lilium POWER-ON, the eVTOL industry's first customer service organization. In February 2024, Lilium, also started installing assembly equipment for its propulsion units' serial production line partnering with Schnaithmann Maschinenbau. The company expected the first prototype to come off the line in Q2 2024 for testing and flight testing campaigns. In July 2024, Lilium announced plans to advance its POWER-ON suite with the addition of the Aftermarket Services portfolio.

Lilium's business model includes three main components in order to establish a diverse business and revenue stream in the emerging eVTOL market. The first involves targeting business aviation customers through private or fractional ownership sales, while the second focuses on using the Lilium Jet for regional passenger shuttle networks that will be created and operated with third parties. Lastly, Lilium intends to provide enterprise solutions by selling fleets of Lilium Jets and related aftermarket services directly to enterprise and other customers. As of April 2023, the company had secured a total order pipeline of 640 aircraft.

In June 2024, Lilium announced the conclusion of its first round of tests at maximum engine thrust for its electric jet propulsion unit, which occurred at Lilium's headquarters in Munich. In August 2024, the company concluded the first phase of integration testing of the Lilium Jet's electrical power system, designed to support the verification of the aircraft's powertrain functionalities according to the EASA's SC-VTOL rules. In September 2024, Lilium completed its first full-scale test aircraft, the MSN 1 airframe, which would be used as a ground testbed for Lilium's eVTOL aircraft. 

Key customers and partnerships

Lilium has signed supply agreements with Tier-1 aerospace suppliers such as Toray Industries, Aciturri Aerostructures, Aeronamic, Aernnova, Astronics, Ratier Figeac (Collins Aerospace Group), Diehl Aviation, Expliseat, GKN Aerospace, L3 Harris, Honeywell Aerospace, Magnaghi Aeronautica, CUSTOMCELLS, and Perryman. Lilium teamed up with ABB E-mobility to develop and supply MegaWatt fast-charging infrastructure. In May 2024 , Lilium has partnered with UrbanLink, a pioneering company in advanced air mobility to launch eVTOL passenger service in South Florida, incorporating 20 Lilium Jets into UrbanLink's fleet. Previously, In April 2024 , Lilium received a set of standby flight instruments from avionics solutions provider Garmin for use in the production of Lilium jets and the Lilium jet flight simulator for pilot training. Also, during the same time period, The company partnered with Honeywell , a global technology and manufacturing company, to produce propulsion unit position sensors known as “resolvers” for the Lilium Jet in April 2024.

Lilium has also entered non-binding MOUs or term sheets with certain prospective strategic counterparties, including Saudi Arabian Airlines, Bristow Group Inc., Brazilian airline Azul S.A. and Azul Linhas Aereas Brasileiras S.A., and NetJets Inc. (“NetJets”). With the launch of the Lilium Pioneer Edition Jet in December 2022, the company signed a binding contract with eVolare , a subsidiary of Volare Aviation, gaining access to prime locations around the UK, including London. In June 2023 , Lilium collaborated with Heli-Eastern to launch eVTOLs in China. In January 2024, the company partnered with Fraport , a German airport operator, to develop infrastructure for commercial eVTOL operations at multiple airports in Germany and Europe. In the same month, Lilium signed up AJW Group, a commercial aircraft spare parts supplier, to manage its eVTOL spare parts inventory and to operate as the company’s sole parts distributor for its global customers. In February 2024 , the company partnered with Star Charge, a Singaporean EV-charging infrastructure and micro-grid solution provider, to develop charging systems for its eVTOL operations, and PhilJets, a Philippine-based aviation provider, to establish regional air mobility in Southeast Asia, starting with the Philippines. In the same month, the company also partnered with Schnaithmann Maschinenbau , a German automation and robotics company, to design and build its propulsion assembly line. The first prototype propulsion units are expected to come off the line in Q2 2024 for testing and flight test campaigns. In March 2024, Lilium signed an MoU with Atlantic Aviation , an aviation services company, to electrify vertiport infrastructure. 

In June 2024 , Lilium signed a collaboration agreement with Shenzhen-based Bao'an District to establish its regional headquarters there, as part of its expansion efforts in China.

In July 2024 , Lilium signed an agreement with Saudi Arabian national carrier Saudia Group, receiving an order for 100 of its Lilium Jets, following their MoU signed in October 2022 . The company also announced in July 2024 that its first deliveries of its Lilium Jet is set for 2026 and that after assembly, the first piloted flight of its "Lilium Jet MSN 2" is scheduled for early 2025. In July 2024 , it also partnered with the Saudi Arabian General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) to develop and implement the required regulations for eVTOL operations in Saudi Arabia. Further in July 2024 Lilium also partnered with SEA Milan Airports and Skyports Infrastructure to develop vertiports and air taxi routes in Italy, with a planned route connecting Malpensa Airport with the city center. Later in July 2024 , the company partnered with Groupe ADP to develop infrastructure and vertiports for the Lilium Jet in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

In August 2024, Lilium partnered with Thales Group to receive commercial off-the-shelf and bespoke antennas for the navigation and communications of its Lilium Jet. In September 2024, Lilium partnered with Galaxy FBO and EMCJET to introduce its Lilium Jet in Houston. The partnerships involved Galaxy FBO providing regional connectivity for Lilium Jet operations by planning routes in Houston and EMCJET agreeing to purchase Lilium Jets in 2026, as Lilium’s first dealer in the US. Following which, in October 2024, Lilium and GE Aerospace partnered to combine their flight data and analytics platforms to develop eVTOL flight data monitoring solutions.