Have you ever imagined a fleet of flying electric cars operating in Brazil and transporting engers? This is what could happen in the country starting in 2025. This week, Azul announced a partnership with the German company Lilium to develop aircraft with sustainable technology. The goal is to increase connectivity between airports and various commercial and tourist spots.
According to the manufacturer, the aircraft, with zero carbon emissions, can land and take off vertically and can carry up to six people. It is powered by 36 electric motors, and can fly at an altitude of 3 meters. In addition, it can reach a maximum speed of around 280 km/h, with a range of approximately 300 km. As part of the agreement, Lilium intends to sell 220 aircraft to the airline to operate across its network for an aggregate value of up to US$1 billion.
Both companies said the project remains subject to finalization of commercial and definitive documentation. The first unmanned flight took place in 2017 and operations are planned to begin in 2024. “Azul has brought convenient and affordable air travel to underserved markets in the Americas and that makes them an ideal partner for us,” said Daniel Wiegand, co-founder and CEO of Lilium.
John Rodgerson, CEO of Azul, also commented on the partnership and emphasized that, just as they have done in the Brazilian domestic market over the past 13 years, they are looking forward to working and creating an entirely new segment in the coming years. For Henri Courpron, founder and president of Plane View Partners LLC, who was appointed to the Board of Directors of Lilium NV, “emission-free aviation is not a question of ‘if’, but of ‘when’.”
