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Saudia To Buy Up To 100 Air Taxis From Lilium; Expected To Serve Hajj & Umrah Pilgrimages

Saudia Group and Lilium N.V have signed a binding sales agreement for up to 100 eVTOLS.

by Anupriya Mishra
Saudia To Buy Up To 100 Air Taxis From Lilium; Expected To Serve Hajj & Umrah Pilgrimages

Saudia is the national carrier for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Known for its stellar services, soon it plans to expand its operations. This holds true as recently, it was announced that the Saudia Group has signed a binding contract with Lilium, an air taxi developer from Germany. The deal is to buy 50 Electronic Vertical Takeoff and Landing Jets and it also includes an option to buy another 50 jets. Here’s all about it!

Saudia To Acquire Up To 100 eVTOLs

Saudia aims to enhance its aviation and tourism sector and how! Yes, Saudia Group and Lilium N.V., which is a leading aircraft manufacturer, signed a binding sales agreement. The signature ceremony was held at headquarters in Munich. The binding contract was signed by Fahd Al-Jarbou, CEO of Saudia Private representing the Saudia Group and Klaus Roewe, Lilium CEO. Several distinguished guests were also present at the important meeting.

This sales agreement comes after a memorandum of understanding between the two groups was signed back in the year 2022. It’s worth mentioning that the Saudia Group is expected to receive the first jets in 2026. In fact, the operations are to be managed and run by Saudia Private, which is one of the subsidiaries for elite travellers.

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These Jets to Service Hajj And Umrah Pilgrimages

saudi visit visa
Image Credits: Canva Images (For Representational Purposes Only)

Coming to the jet, it will have a capacity for up to six passengers with a luggage room. Any class of electrical vehicle, these have been designed to take off, however, and land vertically, which is pretty similar to traditional helicopters. These jets are eco-friendly as they are powered by an electrical propulsion system. Not to mention, they’re quieter than helicopters! As such, Saudia Group has become the first company to acquire all electric eVTOL jets in the manner region. As a result, it’s bound to increase flight frequencies and decrease traffic congestion for several destinations in Saudi Arabia. As it happens, it is expected that the new jets are also going to support Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. The plan is also to offer access to key sports and entertainment events in Riyadh!

So, it seems that eVTOLS are no longer a distant dream but a definite future in Saudi Arabia.

Cover Image Courtesy: X/Spa_Eng

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