About
On 18 July 2024, Saudia Group (CEO Saudia Private: Fahd Al-Jarbou) and Lilium GmbH (CEO Klaus Roewe) signed a binding industry-leading sales agreement at Lilium HQ in Gauting near Munich for 50 firm + 50 option Lilium Jets. The agreement was the largest commitment in the eVTOL sector by an airline operator at signing.
The contract itself is a primary-source fact, documented in Lilium's IR release of 18 July 2024 and a subsequent GACA–Lilium regulatory MoU signed at Farnborough on 22 July 2024. First-delivery was expected H2 2026.
Three months after signing, on 24 October 2024, Lilium filed for first insolvency after the Bavarian government declined a €50M loan. A Mobile Uplift Corporation rescue collapsed. Lilium filed final insolvency on 21 February 2025. FlightGlobal reported on 9 April 2026 ("Lilium Jet's journey ends on scrapheap as prototypes fail to sell") that the unsold prototypes are being scrapped at Oberpfaffenhofen, with the insolvency administrator's spokesman confirming "it must be assumed that a sale of the two prototypes is not possible for legal reasons."
No successor manufacturer has assumed Lilium's obligation under the Saudia agreement. As of 20 May 2026, the contract exists as a primary-source record only.
Key facts
Timeline
- 2024-07-18Saudia–Lilium binding sales agreement signed at Lilium HQ, Gauting. 50 firm + 50 option Lilium Jets. Largest eVTOL airline commitment at signing. [lilium-2024-07-18]
- 2024-07-22GACA–Lilium regulatory MoU signed at Farnborough Airshow. [lilium-2024-07-18]
- 2024-10-24Lilium files first insolvency after Bavarian government declines €50M loan. [thenational-2025-02-22]
- 2025-02-21Lilium files final insolvency after Mobile Uplift Corporation rescue collapses. [thenational-2025-02-22]
- 2026-04-09FlightGlobal: Lilium prototypes being scrapped at Oberpfaffenhofen. Administrator confirms sale 'not possible for legal reasons.' [flightglobal-2026-04-09]
Practical info
How to get there
By metro
n/a
By car
n/a
From the airport
n/a
Regulatory status
The agreement existed under the regulatory umbrella of GACA Saudi Arabia (which signed a separate MoU with Lilium on 22 July 2024 at Farnborough) and EASA (which had been Lilium's airworthiness path). Both regulatory tracks are now stranded.
Current progress
As of 20 May 2026, the Saudia–Lilium agreement exists as a primary-source record. No successor manufacturer has assumed the obligation. Saudia has not announced a replacement eVTOL order.
Connected entities
Operators
Frequently asked questions
What was the Saudia–Lilium agreement?
Why is this listed as an orphaned contract?
Will Saudia receive the Lilium Jets?
Has Saudia announced a replacement order?
Why include this entry at all if the deal is dead?
Sources
- [lilium-2024-07-18] Lilium IR — Saudia Group Signs Industry-Leading Sales Agreement With Lilium to Acquire Up to 100 eVTOL Jets (18 Jul 2024) operator-ir · accessed 2026-05-20
- [thenational-2025-02-22] The National — German air taxi developer Lilium files for insolvency again (22 Feb 2025) primary · accessed 2026-05-20
- [flightglobal-2026-04-09] FlightGlobal — Lilium Jet's journey ends on scrapheap as prototypes fail to sell (9 Apr 2026) primary · accessed 2026-05-20
Verification flags
- Lilium GmbH dissolved 21 February 2025; no successor manufacturer.
- Lilium prototypes being scrapped per FlightGlobal 9 April 2026.
- Saudia has not announced a replacement eVTOL OEM order as of 20 May 2026.
- Contract value and detailed terms not publicly disclosed beyond the headline numbers.
- Status of the GACA–Lilium 22 July 2024 regulatory MoU is also stranded.