The company is locating its flagship U.S. vertiport (vertical take-off and landing facility) in Lake Nona.
Orlando, Fla. – Lilium, a German-based startup developing a revolutionary on-demand air taxi service, is locating its flagship U.S. vertiport (vertical take-off and landing facility) as well as maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and pilot headquarters in Orlando. The company’s fully electric vehicle is completely emissions-free, and its innovative, intrinsically simple design enables connections from city center to city center with direct flights of up to one hour.
Through a partnership with Tavistock Development Company and the City of Orlando, the company will establish the country’s first urban and regional air mobility network as well as Lilium’s first U.S. network location in Lake Nona.
“We are thrilled to build the first stretch of Florida’s high-speed electric transportation network with Central Florida at its core.”
Dr. Remo Gerber, chief operating officer at Lilium
The Florida network forms part of Lilium’s vision of bringing regional air mobility to locations across the globe. The Lilium jet aircraft can travel farther and faster with distances of up to 186 miles (300km) within one hour on a single charge, enabling the connection of entire regions, creating significant economic impact for cities and their residents as well as increased access to industry, culture and nature.
Lilium will create 143 new jobs by the end of 2025 at wages over 150 percent of the median wage in the area. The company will build a 56,000-square-foot transportation facility in Lake Nona, estimated to generate $1.7 million in economic impact over a 10-year period. Subject to regulatory approvals including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and other regulatory agencies, Lake Nona’s central location would provide the opportunity to connect more than 20 million Floridians within a 186-mile radius, serving several major cities including Orlando and Tampa.
“This partnership and network launch highlight our community’s passion and commitment to ground-breaking partnerships and new technologies that sets us apart as a city of the future,” said Ben Weaver, Tavistock managing director.
“Lilium’s core mission of transport, which not only supports bringing the region together but also provides a solution to environmental issues, is incredibly impressive.”
Ben Weaver, Tavistock managing director
The Orlando Economic Partnership assisted the company with understanding the region’s value proposition and contributed to its successful incentive application. The City of Orlando is offering a tax rebate for the facility and OUC is providing a discounted rate for utilities. Tavistock Development Company played a crucial role in helping the company to identify the most suitable site for its vertiport and MRO operations and worked with the company to jointly create a vertiport architecture for its hub that is both functional and aesthetically unique and resembles the iconic art within Lake Nona. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) was also a partner on the project.
“For this new technology to truly reshape the transportation ecosystem and benefit Orlando residents long-term, it is going to take a true partnership between cities, developers and transportation operators,” said City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.
“I’m thrilled that our progressive and collaborative environment has created an opportunity for this unique partnership between the City of Orlando, Lilium and Lake Nona to invest in the expansion of safe, efficient and environmentally friendly transportation options throughout one of the fastest growing regions in the country.”
City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer
The Orlando region’s long history of public private partnerships, strength in aviation and aerospace industry, hospitality to forward-thinking new technology and welcoming environment for business laid the groundwork to activate vertical infrastructure in Orlando and bring regional air mobility to Florida. Orlando is home to a burgeoning cluster of robust aviation companies and services, including several within Lake Nona, such as BBA Aviation/Signature Flight Support and SimCom Aviation Training, which recently announced the creation of its new global headquarters that will train approximately 10,000 pilots each year.
The Orlando region’s central location in Florida’s fast-growing and largely populated but geographically spread-out state, combined with good flying weather and business-friendly regulation, showcased Orlando as the perfect home for the first U.S. vertiport. As one of the world’s most visited destinations, the Orlando market serves as an ideal testing ground for new transportation technologies and the company’s revolutionary on-demand air taxi service will augment the region’s transit system with regional air mobility.
“Lilium’s establishment of its first U.S. air service in Lake Nona is a ground-breaking addition to the travel options for our residents and visitors,” said Tim Giuliani, president and CEO of the Orlando Economic Partnership.
“The company’s revolutionary air transportation technology positions Orlando to lead the nation in regional air mobility. As a strong supporter of forward-looking regional transportation, the Partnership is excited to welcome Lilium to our region.”
Tim Giuliani, Orlando Economic Partnership president and CEO
All U.S. vertiport locations will require approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The Lilium jet is pursuing certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the FAA and will operate under existing regulatory frameworks. For more information, please contact Laureen.Martinez@Orlando.org or at 407-242-3982.
ABOUT LAKE NONA
Located in Orlando, Fla., Lake Nona is one of the fastest-growing master-planned communities in America developed by Tavistock Development Company. Known for thoughtfully designed neighborhoods, top-rated education facilities, the latest technology, business and research clusters, retail and entertainment centers, and diverse workspaces, Lake Nona encompasses the best Central Florida has to offer. Lake Nona sets the foundation for a collaborative relationship between the people who live, work, and visit there by prioritizing forward-thinking technology, strategic partnerships, education, and wellbeing. For more information, visit www.lakenona.com.
ABOUT LILIUM
Lilium is an aviation company developing an emissions-free regional air mobility service. It has designed and prototyped the Lilium Jet, a brand-new type of aircraft that will enable it to deliver regional journeys that are considerably faster than rail or road, yet competitive in price. The demonstrator aircraft first flew in 2019 and is a five-seater, fully-electric aircraft that can take-off and land vertically (eVTOL). Lilium expects to service a sizable global market demand by connecting communities at a fraction of the cost of conventional high-speed infrastructure, with zero operating emissions.
Co-founded in 2015 by four visionary engineers, Daniel Wiegand (CEO), Sebastian Born, Matthias Meiner and Patrick Nathen, Lilium has attracted more than $375m in funding from world-class investors such as Atomico, Tencent, Baillie Gifford, LGT, Freigeist and Obvious Ventures. Lilium is headquartered in Munich and currently employs more than 600 people. Find out more at www.lilium.com, or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram,Medium.