Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft developer Lilium NV is in discussions with the French government regarding plans to expand the company’s high-volume production capacity with an industrial footprint in France. The discussions also concern potential government subsidies and loan guarantees.
Lilium is currently evaluating several possible sites in France, including the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, and the company expects discussions to reach conclusion in coming weeks. Lilium indicated that, with an estimated total future investment of up to EUR400 million ($433 million) over several years, it would have the potential to create up to 850 new direct jobs with this industrial expansion.
Initial production of the Lilium Jet eVTOL aircraft got underway in 2023 at Lilium’s headquarters near Munich, Germany. With service entry of the aircraft scheduled for 2026, Lilium is preparing for larger-scale production in order to meet anticipated market demand.
Lilium said that it has an order pipeline consisting of more than 780 Lilium Jets, including binding orders and Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) agreements from operators in the U.S., South America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Lilium is working with a number of Tier 1 suppliers, including French companies such as Expliseat, Michelin, Ratier-Figeac, and Saint-Gobain.
Raymond Jaworowski currently co-authors three of Forecast International's best-selling products: Civil Aircraft Forecast, Military Aircraft Forecast, and Rotorcraft Forecast. As a contributor to Aviation Week & Space Technology's Aerospace Source Book, he has authored Aircraft Outlooks, and provided input for the publication's Aircraft Specifications tables. Raymond has represented Forecast International at numerous conferences and trade shows, often as a featured speaker. He is a member of the American Helicopter Society.
