Stuttgart Airport is expected to become a hub for regional electric flights with zero operating emissions, following the agreement between Stuttgart Airport and Lilium.
Stuttgart is joining the planned southern German network which already consists of the Munich and Nuremberg airports, as previously announced. The Munich-based aviation company Lilium, positioned to be a global leader in sustainable regional air mobility, has already dedicated part of the planned production of its 7-seater Lilium Jet for the southern German network. Separately, Lilium has planned western German hubs with Cologne/Bonn and Düsseldorf airports and a planned network of 14 locations in Florida (USA), with the first passenger flights projected to take place from 2024 onwards. Lilium has also announced a planned strategic alliance with leading Brazilian airline Azul to build an eVTOL network in Brazil, expected to start in 2025.
Together with the future landing site operators, Lilium has carried out a number of specific studies in recent years on issues in regards to location choice, infrastructure and airspace integration, including use cases and routes, to confirm the feasibility of regional air traffic with eVTOL aircrafts. The aim is to offer fully-electric connections within a few years, with up to six passengers able to travel between the hubs on each Lilium Jet. Ticket prices are expected to be comparable to conventional means of transport in the medium term.
Dr. Florian Stegmann, Minister of State and Head of the State Chancellery of the State of Baden-Württemberg, stated: “The State of Baden-Württemberg supports the project to better connect southern German locations such as Stuttgart Airport through a new electric jet mobility network. We see the opportunities that such modern mobility concepts can bring for our country. What is certain is that flying in the future must be climate-friendly and safe."
Dr. Arina Freitag, Managing Director of Flughafen Stuttgart GmbH, said, “We want people in our region to get to their destinations in the best possible way and to have a wide choice of modes of transport. That is why we are developing Stuttgart Airport into a unique hub for sustainable and innovative forms of mobility. The regional and supra-regional high-speed connections with small electric aircraft, such as those planned by Lilium, are a very promising addition to the Stuttgart location."
Lilium CEO Daniel Wiegand commented: “I am thrilled that my home of Baden-Württemberg is joining the southern German Lilium operating network. Fully-electric and ultra-quiet Lilium Jets will connect passengers from Stuttgart, Munich and Nuremberg more closely with neighboring cities and regions. Sustainable travel and time savings for all travelers is part of our mission. We see that as the key to transforming mobility.”
Minister of State Dr. Florian Herrmann, Head of the Bavarian State Chancellery, sees great opportunities for electric air mobility: “Electric air shuttles are innovative, environmentally conscious and set the tone for our future. They open up completely new ways of travelling and can enrich our mobility with a state-of-the-art alternative. The Bavarian State Government therefore supports efforts to bring about electric air mobility. With the Air Mobility Initiative Bavaria as part of our Bavarian high-tech agenda, we will provide €100 million in the coming years for research and development of new forms of urban air mobility,” explained Herrmann. "By building a network across transport systems, we create great potential for quiet, emission-free and fast mobility."
The Lilium Jet, under development for several years, will offer high-speed connections for six passengers and one pilot. With a projected maximum range of 250 km and a cruise speed of 280 km/h, the Lilium Jet has the potential to become a market leader for both passenger and cargo transport. The all-electric jet, which is currently undergoing concurrent type certification processes with EASA and the FAA, will fly with zero operating emissions. The first passenger services are projected to launch in 2024.
