Regional electric air mobility start-up Lilium and Luxembourg-based Luxaviation Group, a business aircraft and helicopter operator, announced that Luxaviation Group plans to support Lilium in building out airline operations in Europe.
Lilium says their vision for a “flexible transportation ecosystem” is supported by world-class partners adding that Luxaviation Group brings more than 60 years of experienced passenger service with hundreds of aircraft under management and 10 Air Operator Certificates (“AOCs”) across Europe.
Building on Luxaviation group’s track record which includes securing the first European Union Aviation Safety Agency AOC approval for a business jet operator, the parties anticipate Luxaviation Group will become responsible for parts of the airline operations being developed by Lilium. This includes securing necessary approvals and managing pilots, which will be trained following a type rating concept developed by Lufthansa Aviation Training, another Lilium partner. As Lilium continues developing its launch networks in Europe for the planned commercial launch in 2024, Luxaviation Group will also work with Lilium on the development of its best-in-class customer experience, built around Lilium’s digital airline platform and the seven-seat Lilium Jet.
“We are proud to be working alongside Luxaviation Group, a leading operator in the aviation sector with a track record in offering an innovative and customer-focused service, to build out the Lilium network in Europe. This marks a key milestone as we prepare for launch, and we look forward to working together to provide an exceptional airline service for our passengers,” explains Remo Gerber, chief operating officer at Lilium.
“Electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft will fundamentally change the way we travel, and the Lilium network is poised to be at the forefront of this sea change in aviation,” Patrick Hansen, Group CEO at Luxaviation said. Christophe Lapierre, head of Strategy of Luxaviation Group adds, “We are very pleased to have been selected by Lilium to be their partner in aircraft operations. As an early believer in advanced air mobility, we look forward to bringing our experience and credentials to the partnership with Lilium and building out a service that will truly feel like a first of its kind.”
Lilium has previously announced plans for launch networks in Germany through partnerships with Munich, Nuremberg, Dusseldorf, and Cologne/Bonn airports.