Lilium adds two net orders as restructuring and development work continues
December 5, 2024
With insolvent Lilium continuing to navigate a KPMG-led M&A process “aimed at delivering the company’s financial restructuring,” the electric aircraft developer is celebrating “continuing programme momentum both on the commercial and technology side” of its Lilium Jet programme.
Having achieved the inaugural powering-on of the low voltage electrical and avionics systems aboard Lilium’s first production in aircraft in October 2024, aircraft development and testing activities continue to advance. These include the successful completion of a landing gear drop test, with the latest nose landing gear drop test performed in November by the NA Group at its Naples facility.
With a second regular EASA audit confirming that Lilium is “working in full compliance with EASA regulations,” developmental work and testing of the Lilium’s ducted fan technology is also continuing, with several engines now built and tested in parallel. Trials of the propulsion vectoring system and initial in-house trials of an engine blade detachment event have also been performed.
Although the ASL Group has cancelled its reservation of six Lilium Jet deliveries (with Lilium noting that “the two parties intend to re-engage following a successful conclusion of Lilium’s financial restructuring”), others appear to remain perhaps more confident in Lilium’s ability to bring its product to market. Executive eVTOL operator the Ambitious Group has placed a firm order for the purchase of eight aircraft (with options for six more), formalising an initial LoI signed in March 2024.
Lilium’s order book now totals 108 firm orders and reservations, 82 options, and nearly 60 aircraft under an MoU. Lilium CEO Klaus Rowe confirmed last month that “we at Lilium remain fully focused on re-emerging following restructuring, with fresh investment to support the all-electric Lilium Jet’s path to certification and entry into service” – something Lilium expects to happen in 2026.
