Saudi Airlines intends to use small electric flying vehicles to transport pilgrims and Umrah performers between Mecca and Jeddah
The group signed Saudi airlines Thursday’s deal with Germany-based flying taxi maker Lilium to buy 100 electric flying vehicles is one of the company’s largest orders yet, the company said. Reuters”.
Lilium explained that Saudi Airlines has placed a firm order to purchase 50 of Lilium’s electric flying vehicles that take off and land vertically, with an option to purchase an additional 50 later.
The first of these vehicles is expected to join the Saudi Airlines fleet in 2026.
The deal was signed at Lilium’s headquarters on the outskirts of Munich during a visit by executives from the Saudi company to Germany.
The value of the deal has not been announced.
Saudi Airlines intends to use small electric flying vehicles to transport pilgrims and Umrah performers between Mecca and Jeddah, and to transport visitors to the Kingdom to major sporting events in the capital, Riyadh, as well as to tourist destinations.
Looking forward Saudi Group To expand its network of destinations, increase the movement of transit between the continents of the world and link them to the Kingdom, by increasing the group’s fleet of aircraft, in line with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, and the goals of the National Strategy for Transport and Logistics Services, including contributing to the transport of 330 million passengers, 150 million visits and 30 million pilgrims, in addition to enhancing its role in the success and empowerment of tourism and entertainment events, sports competitions and other conferences and events hosted by the Kingdom.
In line with these goals, the visit of the Saudi Group to Airbus aircraft manufacturing company in Hamburg, Germany, comes within the framework of the deal concluded between the two parties in May 2024, which includes the purchase of 105 aircraft, of the “A321neo” and “A320neo” models, so that the “Saudi” fleet, upon the completion of the arrival of the aircraft, will be the most modern in the world.
This deal directly reflects on the growth of the national economy with an estimated value of 2.5 billion Saudi riyals by increasing local content and manufacturing capabilities, and providing opportunities for entrepreneurship in the Kingdom, while forming a comprehensive strategy based on localizing expertise and qualifying specialized cadres. In a more comprehensive reality, the manufacturing stages will provide a greater opportunity for innovation and renewal in the world of aviation, starting from production lines and logistics services to the details of using technology and artificial intelligence.
The visit of the “Saudi Group” carries a dimension in its aspiration towards diversifying its fleet of aircraft in line with the requirements of the stage and the future in light of the ambitious national goals to connect the world to the Kingdom, by purchasing 100 electric aircraft, in a new direction for “Saudi” towards owning the latest innovations in the aviation industry, which are characterized by their ability to take off and land vertically (eVTOL) and operate on fully electric energy.
This step comes in accordance with the memorandum of understanding signed in October 2022 in Riyadh during the Future Investment Initiative between the group and the German company Lilium, which manufactures electric aircraft, given the capabilities of electric aircraft that eliminate the need for traditional airports, and their ability to travel a distance of up to 175 kilometers, at a speed of up to 250 kilometers per hour, with the possibility of saving time for individual travelers compared to other options, and accommodating 6 passengers.
According to the operational aspirations of “Saudi Arabia”, these aircraft will contribute to linking several destinations, and according to air routes between the main airports in which the group operates, to serve Hajj and Umrah flights, and reach various events and tourist destinations in addition to serving the business sector.
