Lilium emerged as a trailblazer with its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the Lilium Jet. Founded in 2015 in Munich, Germany, Lilium aimed to transform short- to medium-range travel by offering high-speed, zero-emission flights that could ease urban congestion and connect city centers with suburbs in minutes.
By prioritizing sustainability and efficiency, Lilium envisioned air taxis as a seamless part of daily life, reducing traffic and carbon footprints while boosting regional economies. This guide explores Lilium’s journey, its innovative technology, its impact on urban transport, and the challenges it faced, including its insolvency in early 2025, with ongoing efforts to revive its ambitious vision.
The Rise of Lilium A Timeline of Innovation
Lilium’s story began with a bold vision to make air travel accessible and sustainable. Below is a timeline of its key milestones:
| Year | Milestone | Details |
| 2015 | Founding | Established in Munich by Daniel Wiegand, Sebastian Born, and Patrick Nathen, focusing on ducted electric vectored thrust technology. |
| 2017 | First Flight | Conducted the maiden flight of the Lilium Jet prototype, showcasing vertical takeoff and forward flight transitions. |
| 2019 | Expansion Plans | Planned to hire up to 500 employees by 2025 and established a London base for software development to support air taxi operations. |
| 2020 | Certification Progress | Gained design organization approval from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and began engaging with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for dual certification. |
| 2022 | Timeline Adjustment | Delayed type certification to 2025, with production-conforming flights planned for 2023. |
| 2024 | Testbed Activation | Powered on the first full-scale ground testbed in October and resumed flight testing in Spain in April. Secured an asset buy-out deal in December to resume work in 2025. |
| 2025 (Jan-Feb) | Insolvency and Shutdown | Filed for insolvency in January after funding fell through; operations halted in February, marking a second bankruptcy. |
| 2025 (Aug-Sep) | Revival Efforts | The Ambitious Air Mobility Group (AAMG) bid for assets in September with an initial commitment of €250 million. Reports emerged of certified test flights in Germany, which carried passengers up to 175 miles at speeds of 175 mph. Social media highlighted successful full transition flights and speculated on potential synergies with other tech giants. |
Lilium grew to over 1,000 employees by mid-2025, with production facilities near Munich and a focus on European supply chains. Despite setbacks, its journey reflects the eVTOL industry’s blend of rapid innovation and complex challenges.
The Lilium Jet Engineering a New Era of Flight
The Lilium Jet, a 7-seater eVTOL, was the cornerstone of Lilium’s vision, distinguished by its jet-like performance rather than traditional rotorcraft design.
Key Technical Specifications
| Feature | Description |
| Capacity | 1 pilot + 6 passengers (up to 7 in all-electric configuration). |
| Powertrain | 36 ducted electric jet engines (30 for vertical thrust, 6 for cruise), powered by high-performance silicon anode batteries. |
| Range & Speed | 155-175 miles (250-280 km) at 175 mph (280 km/h); significantly quieter than helicopters with 90% lower emissions. |
| Dimensions | Wingspan: 42 ft (13 m); Length: 23 ft (7 m); Features wing transition for efficient forward flight. |
| Noise Level | Under 60 dB during takeoff, suitable for urban vertiport operations. |
| Certification | Pursued EASA and FAA type certification, achieving a milestone as the first eVTOL with bases from both agencies in 2024. |
The Jet’s ducted fan technology enabled smooth transitions from vertical to horizontal flight, offering a more comfortable ride than multirotor designs. Partnerships with industry leaders for avionics and airframes bolstered its engineering. Recent social media showcased videos of full-wing and canard transitions, proving their potential for regional routes.
Sustainability at the Core Green Skies for Urban Mobility
Lilium’s all-electric Jet addresses urban transport challenges such as congestion and pollution. It eliminated direct emissions, potentially reducing carbon footprints by 90% compared to fossil-fuel helicopters. Paired with renewable-powered charging infrastructure, it supported a low-carbon ecosystem, including urban vertiports.
The Jet’s low noise levels—critical for city operations—and operating costs 50% lower than helicopters made it a game-changer. Lilium envisioned electrifying routes like Munich to Salzburg or Miami to Orlando, aligning with global sustainability goals and fostering eco-friendly connectivity for urban and regional travel.
Partnerships and Market Strategy Building the Ecosystem
Lilium built a robust ecosystem through strategic partnerships:
- Aerospace & Tech: Collaborated with companies for avionics, batteries, and composite materials to ensure high-quality production.
- Commercial: Secured orders from operators like NetJets, Saudia, and Azul (a $1B deal in Brazil), plus UrbanLink for U.S. operations, amassing over 780 firm orders and agreements by early 2025.
- Infrastructure: Partnered with firms for vertiport development in the U.S. and electrification efforts, as well as training programs with aviation leaders.
These alliances supported a B2B model, targeting private sales and regional networks. Post-insolvency, revival efforts aim to restore these supply chains for European production.
Reshaping Urban Transport A Vision in Flux
The Lilium Jet promised to revolutionize urban mobility by enabling on-demand flights from rooftop vertiports, cutting commute times (e.g., London to Paris in under an hour). It offered economic benefits through jobs in vertiport construction and tourism, while easing road congestion in megacities. Plans for operations in Florida and California emphasized accessibility for underserved areas.
However, 2025’s insolvency revealed challenges: R&D costs exceeding €1.5 billion outstripped revenue, compounded by delays in battery technology and regulatory hurdles. Competitors advanced pilotless flights elsewhere, highlighting Europe’s funding struggles. Social media discussions remain optimistic, with some suggesting acquisitions by major tech players could accelerate production.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Lilium’s insolvency in 2025 stemmed from failed funding rounds, despite a rescue deal reached in late 2024. The eVTOL sector’s broader struggles, including high capital needs and certification delays, underscored the risks. AAMG’s September bid, with €750 million committed for certification and production, offers hope for a 2027 relaunch. However, investors are also eyeing more stable U.S. competitors, and regulatory changes for airspace integration remain critical.
Conclusion
Lilium’s journey embodies the promise and peril of eVTOL innovation. The Lilium Jet offered a blueprint for greener, faster urban transport, with vertiports and emission-free flights poised to transform cities. As asset acquisition efforts continue into late 2025, Lilium’s legacy, whether through revival or technology transfer, could still shape the future of aviation. Will electric jets soon soar above our cities, or will financial challenges keep this vision grounded? The next chapter in this high-flying story is yet to unfold.
