NetJets and professional aviation training specialist FlightSafety International have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Lilium for a proposed strategic partnership. Lilium is the manufacturer of an all-electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) jet.
The arrangement would provide NetJets with the right to purchase up to 150 Lilium aircraft, introducing more options to NetJets owners to complement their existing flight patterns. NetJets also anticipates supporting Lilium with a private sales campaign for individuals to purchase Lilium aircraft. In addition, the two companies will explore a business model for the operation of Lilium’s network in Florida, as well as in other regions of the USA and Europe.
The Lilium Jet’s flexible cabin architecture is expected to enable a range of configurations, including layouts for four to six passengers that address both premium and shuttle mission profiles.
NetJets’ strong owner base will provide Lilium with scale and support for its ecosystem in the USA, where plans for a Florida transport hub continue to progress.
This planned collaboration with NetJets is also expected to boost Lilium’s commercial ambitions in Florida and other US markets and would create supplemental direct sales opportunities. The Lilium Jet, designed to offer high performance with zero operating emissions, will allow NetJets to advance its sustainability efforts by offering its customer base regional transportation alternatives.
As part of the arrangement, Lilium would also partner with FlightSafety International to provide products and services, such as courseware, immersive and mixed-reality training devices and crew training to support Lilium Jet operations. FlightSafety’s proprietary training software will deliver flexible and agile learning solutions to support the advance air mobility market.
“This partnership is a major step in our mission to build radically better ways of moving and to electrify regional air travel,” said Daniel Wiegand, co-founder and CEO of Lilium. “We believe that the private and business professional segments will be highly attractive markets in the future and, likewise, early adopters of the eVTOL revolution. We couldn’t be happier to collaborate with NetJets and FlightSafety to electrify this market and hope to forge a long-term strategic partnership to bring high-speed regional electric air mobility to the world.”
“Our focus on technology and adaptive learning will help prepare aviation professionals with the highest levels of expertise to support operation of the Lilium Jet,” said Brad Thress, president and CEO of FlightSafety International.
“We’re delighted to partner with Lilium’s experienced team to provide sustainable flight services to our customers,” said Adam Johnson, CEO of NetJets. “Lilium’s aircraft will expand our fleet options and provide our customers with a new and flexible means of private air travel.”
The proposed arrangement with NetJets is subject to the parties finalising commercial terms and entering into definitive agreements with respect thereto and satisfaction of certain conditions.
