Lilium has achieved a significant development milestone with the commencement of fuselage assembly for the Lilium Jet, which remains on track for expected first manned flight planned in late 2024. The start of fuselage assembly serves as another tangible manifestation of Lilium's strategic roadmap, demonstrating the OEM's ability to progress from vision to execution. This is the first of seven fuselages for the seven aircraft Lilium will use to achieve type certification of the Lilium Jet.

COO Yves Yemsi says: “We're delighted to kick off assembly of the first Lilium Jet fuselage at Aciturri, bringing us one step closer to reshaping sustainable regional air mobility. We see this as further evidence that our approach of teaming with proven aerospace suppliers to bring our cutting edge eVTOL aircraft to market is the optimal strategy as we advance along a path to certification and entry into service of the Lilium Jet.”

The fuselage was developed in collaboration with, and is being built by, tier one aerospace supplier and strategic partner Aciturri at its facilities in Valladolid, Spain. The fuselage is planned for delivery to Lilium facilities in Wessling, Germany in the fourth quarter 2023, prior to planned start of assembly of the first jet by year end.

CEO Klaus Roewe says: “This phase is more than just a technical step; it's a clear signal to all Lilium stakeholders of our commitment to making regional air mobility more efficient, enjoyable and sustainable. As we assemble the fuselage, we are also crafting a transformative flying experience while upholding our promise of unparalleled efficiency, comfort and safety.”

This latest phase of Lilium's programme leverages Aciturri's proficiency in design and manufacturing of high-quality aerostructures, and follows a comprehensive industrial programme review conducted in late August 2023 in which leadership from both companies reviewed and green-lighted the initial industrial production components and process.

Aciturri, a Lilium investor, is an established aerospace supplier with nearly 50 years of experience in commercial aircraft programmes, including the design and manufacturing of major airframe components for Airbus A350, A320, A400M, Boeing 787 and Embraer KC390 programmes. As well as supporting the industrialisation of the Lilium Jet, Aciturri will continue to support design optimisation and certification in the years ahead.

Aciturri CEO Maria Eugenia Clemente says: “Aciturri is committed to playing a leading role in the transformation of sustainable regional air mobility, which supports Europe's goal of achieving climate neutrality. We are fully aligned with Lilium's vision and design, and we are delighted to have evolved our partnership to such a foundational stage towards the birth of the Lilium Jet.”