Shenzhen Eastern General Aviation Co (Heli-Eastern), a major low-altitude general aviation carrier and helicopter service provider in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in China, has signed an agreement with Lilium to order 100 Lilium Jets. In addition, Heli-Eastern will partner with Lilium to identify potential sites and partners for Lilium's vertiports and other ground infrastructure. Upon type certification of the Lilium Jet, Heli-Eastern will operate the aircraft in the region and provide crewing and maintenance services. Currently, Heli-Eastern operates across the Greater Bay Area, the Yangtze River Delta and the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Areas.

Lilium CEO Klaus Roewe says: “We are excited about Lilium's expansion into China with such a well-established local partner as Heli-Eastern. We see significant potential for Lilium's eVTOL network in the Greater Bay Area, both to reach this important premium market, as well as to offer the sustainable, time-saving benefits of the Lilium Jet to as many people as possible.”

Heli-Eastern chairman Zhao Qi adds: “By partnering with Lilium, we are bringing the future of sustainable air mobility to China. With Lilium's premium cabin design and innovative electric jet technology, our customers can travel throughout the Greater Bay Area and beyond quickly and sustainably.”

This follows Lilium signing an MOU with the Bao'an District of Shenzhen municipality for the opening of a Lilium regional headquarters to represent the company in China and the Asia-Pacific region for jet sales, services and support.

The collaboration will initially focus on the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, with a population of over 85 million people, with plans to grow across China and the broader Asia-Pacific region.

The Bao'an District's extensive regional knowledge will benefit Lilium as the two parties build the foundation for premium eVTOL operations in the Greater Bay Area, including defining launch routes, use cases and other logistics related to the Lilium Jet's entry into service.

A representative of the Bao'an District of Shenzhen municipality says: “As the aerial gateway of Shenzhen and a hub for the aerospace industry, Bao'an District possesses unique advantages in the development of the low-altitude economy, including a central location in the Greater Bay Area, robust industrial support and a wide range of application scenarios. Lilium has always been at the forefront of the eVTOL field and is a global leader in electric aviation. Going forward, we will create a better environment and provide greater support for the project to land, allowing enterprises to develop in Bao'an with peace of mind. We also hope that Lilium will accelerate its footprint in Bao'an, expanding the establishment of sales centres, research and development centres, production and other facilities in Bao'an, to achieve faster and stronger growth.”

Roewe adds: “We believe China represents an enormous opportunity for the eVTOL industry, projecting to amount to as much as 25 per cent of the market. We are thrilled to be entering China with such a strong partner as the Bao'an District. Fast, comfortable and sustainable transport will strongly contribute to the region's development. We are grateful for the commitment and engagement the Bao'an District is offering.”