Lilium Designates Future Orlando Vertiport as Key Network Hub

- by Richard Pettibone
Lililum’s Florida vertiport. Image – Lilium

Lilium N.V. announced that the future Orlando International Airport (MCO) vertiport will serve as a central Florida hub for its Lilium Jet network. The company also expressed its support for Florida House Bill 981, which proposes designating MCO as the state’s Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) test site.

The MCO vertiport, once operational, will function as a crucial node in Lilium’s Florida network, facilitating seamless connections for Lilium Jet operators and passengers throughout the central region. This decision leverages the airport’s central location and robust infrastructure, positioning it as an ideal launchpad for AAM services catering to the nearly 80 million annual visitors to Florida.

Lilium has consistently demonstrated its commitment to advancing AAM development in Florida. In 2020, the company partnered with the City of Orlando and Lake Nona to establish the nation’s first urban and regional AAM network. Moreover, by endorsing Florida House Bill 981, Lilium actively supports establishing MCO as the state’s official AAM test site. This designation, alongside the streamlined vertiport permitting process outlined in the bill, would significantly streamline AAM development and enable Florida to emerge as a national leader in this transformative transportation technology.

Lilium has actively engaged with bill sponsors, State Representative Doug Bankson (District 39) and State Representative Fiona McFarland (District 73), who chairs the Florida House Transportation & Modals Subcommittee. This collaboration ensures that Florida’s policy framework accommodates the specific needs of AAM operators like Lilium and its commercial partners, paving the way for a smooth transition to fully-fledged commercial operations.

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A military history enthusiast, Richard began his career at Forecast International as editor of the World Weapons Weekly newsletter. As the Internet became central to defense research, he helped design the company’s Forecast Intelligence Center and now coordinates the FI Market Recap newsletters for clients. He also manages two blogs: Defense & Security Monitor, which covers defense systems and international security issues, and Flight Plan, focused on commercial aviation and space systems.

For more than 30 years, Richard has authored Defense & Aerospace Companies, Volume I (North America) and Volume II (International), providing detailed data on major aerospace and defense contractors. He also edits the International Contractors service, a database tracking all companies involved in programs covered by the FI library. Richard currently serves as Manager of the Information Services Group (ISG), which develops outbound content for both Forecast International and Military Periscope.

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About Richard Pettibone

A military history enthusiast, Richard began his career at Forecast International as editor of the World Weapons Weekly newsletter. As the Internet became central to defense research, he helped design the company’s Forecast Intelligence Center and now coordinates the FI Market Recap newsletters for clients. He also manages two blogs: Defense & Security Monitor, which covers defense systems and international security issues, and Flight Plan, focused on commercial aviation and space systems. For more than 30 years, Richard has authored Defense & Aerospace Companies, Volume I (North America) and Volume II (International), providing detailed data on major aerospace and defense contractors. He also edits the International Contractors service, a database tracking all companies involved in programs covered by the FI library. Richard currently serves as Manager of the Information Services Group (ISG), which develops outbound content for both Forecast International and Military Periscope.

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