The Saudi Group signs an agreement with Lilium to purchase up to 100 electric aircraft
Saudi Airlines signed an agreement to purchase 100 electric aircraft from the German company "Lilium", with the first of these aircraft to be received in the fourth quarter of 2026.
The agreement includes 50 confirmed and optional aircraft, and Saudi Airlines is the first company in the aviation sector in the Middle East and North Africa to purchase 100 electric aircraft from the German company.
The Saudi group explained in a statement that the agreement is the largest confirmed order for eVTOL aircraft, and includes a schedule for aircraft deliveries, performance guarantees, comprehensive maintenance of the aircraft fleet and support services, and indicated that the two parties intend to sign the (Lilium POWER-ON) agreement which will include maintenance and support services for the aircraft fleet.
For his part, Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of the Saudi group, said that electric planes provide new routes for transporting guests with their ability to take off and land vertically, covering a distance of up to 175 kilometers at a speed of up to 250 kilometers per hour, thus saving guests time by almost 90% compared to other transportation options and representing a solution to the challenge of congestion.
He pointed out that electric planes serve the business and exhibition sectors to facilitate the transportation of guests to attend and participate in these events, and also provide a qualitative choice of tourist destinations as well as sports and entertainment events, while at the same time connecting the guests of the holy sites, and are also environmentally friendly, making it one of the enablers of sustainable air travel.
The move came days after Saudi Arabia signed the largest aircraft deal in the history of Saudi aviation with Airbus to buy 105 aircraft (#A321neo) and (#A320neo), which will be distributed between Saudi Airlines and "flyadeal", and when the arrival of the aircraft is completed, the average Saudi fleet will become one of the latest globally.
Emission reduction
In addition to providing more sustainable flights and shortening their time by up to 90%, electric aircraft are characterized by reducing the level of carbon dioxide emissions by 10 million tons per year, as an extension of being environmentally friendly.
This is in line with Saudi Arabia's goals to reduce emissions and support renewable energy industries, as it intends to exploit its renewable energy resources, such as solar and wind energy, to increase the transformation of the energy mix, according to a statement by Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman in October.
These aircraft are also characterized by their ability to take off and land vertically, which eliminates the need for traditional airports, and covers a distance of up to 175 kilometers, at a speed of up to 250 kilometers per hour, with the possibility of saving a lot of time for individual travelers, compared to other options, they accommodate only 6 passengers.
The impact of the aviation sector on carbon emissions
The aviation sector is responsible for 2.5% of global carbon emissions, and the International Civil Aviation Organization expects that the volume of these emissions will double 3 times by 2050 compared to 2015.
