Lilium and Italy-based vertiport design and management company UrbanV are to jointly develop vertiport infrastructure for eVTOL networks. The initial focus will be on Italy and the French Riviera, where UrbanV will launch its operations. There will be potential for further markets in the future.

UrbanV brings efficient and sustainable advanced air mobility to urban centres with its extensive design and infrastructure expertise in the development of vertiports. Lilium will benefit from its strong foothold and key airport access in Rome, Venice, Bologna, Nice, Cannes, St Tropez and the surrounding areas. The initial focus will be on creating the infrastructure to enable the first sustainable eVTOL routes.

Vertiports are a key component in realising the enormous potential of the Lilium Jet, providing access to sustainable, high-speed and affordable services that will connect communities. Lilium and UrbanV's partnership will facilitate the movement of people more rapidly and efficiently while being instrumental in delivering some of the first premium eVTOL flights within Europe.

Lilium CCO Sebastien Borel says: “As we continue to collaborate with key partners globally, with strong expertise and experience in key markets, our partnership with UrbanV helps to reimagine regional air transport infrastructure. With extensive experience and entrepreneurship in developing the correct infrastructure for eVTOL flight, UrbanV brings a wealth of talent and strong technical expertise to make our ambition to deliver sustainable regional air travel a reality.”

UrbanV chairman Ivan Bassato adds: “At UrbanV, we aim to improve people's lives by enabling a fast, efficient, safe and clean alternative to existing transport solutions. With our vertiport networks, we are building a technology-agnostic platform for operators to provide new and innovative zero-emission transport services. We see Lilium as one of the leading eVTOL makers in the world, and we are excited to partner with it to ensure that its revolutionary jet can safely land and take off from any of our UrbanV vertiports in Italy, France and anywhere else in the world.”