Saudia inks deal for electric flying taxis from Germany amid airline order spree

Saudia Group, which owns Saudi Arabia’s eponymous national airline, has signed a deal with Lilium to buy up to 100 all-electric flying shuttles, the German air taxi maker said Thursday, as the kingdom moves ahead in developing its growing tourism industry.

The deal — a firm order for 50 jets with options for an additional 50 — was signed at Lilium’s headquarters, outside Munich, by Saudia executives. 

The first electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft are expected to join the state-owned airline’s fleet in 2026. Lilium is building the first full-scale test aircraft, which is in the process of being certified. The German firm said Wednesday that the first piloted test flights will take place early next year. The flights were originally scheduled for late 2024, but delays in obtaining components necessitated pushing the date back.

The value of the transaction was not disclosed, as is customary with aviation deals. The aircraft's list price is about $7 million each, but airlines often get steep discounts for scale orders.