As urban centers like Munich and Berlin continue to expand, the demand for efficient and sustainable transportation has never been greater. Congestion on roads and rails, coupled with environmental pressures, has prompted cities to adopt “smart city” frameworks that integrate advanced technologies for mobility, energy, and data management. Enter Lilium, the Munich-headquartered pioneer in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Founded in 2015, Lilium envisions a future where electric air taxis seamlessly connect metropolitan hubs, slashing travel times between cities like Munich and Berlin from hours to minutes while reducing carbon emissions.
This guide explores Lilium’s journey, its cutting-edge technology, and its envisioned role in Germany’s innovative city ecosystem. From prototype flights to ambitious regional networks, we’ll examine how Lilium aims to bridge urban divides despite recent financial hurdles. As of September 2025, Lilium faces insolvency proceedings, with potential asset sales underway, but its innovations continue to influence the urban air mobility (UAM) landscape. Whether revival is on the horizon or its legacy inspires successors, Lilium’s story underscores the promise and perils of revolutionizing city-to-city travel.
The Rise of Lilium: A Munich-Born Innovator
Lilium Aerospace GmbH emerged from the Technical University of Munich, where four engineering students—Daniel Wiegand, Sebastian Born, Patrick Nathen, and Matthias Meiner—dreamed of democratizing air travel. Incorporated in 2015, the company quickly attracted significant investment, raising over €1 billion from backers such as LVMH, Tencent, and the European Investment Bank. Headquartered in Oberpfaffenhofen, near Munich, Lilium’s campus became a hub for aerospace talent, employing over 1,000 at its peak.
Key milestones include:
- 2017: First untethered flight of a subscale prototype, validating ducted electric jet technology.
- 2019: Announcement of a manufacturing facility in Munich for a 2025 launch, with plans for a 7-seater Lilium Jet.
- 2021: Partnership with Lufthansa for pilot training and commercialization in Europe.
- 2023-2024: Groundbreaking on a production site in France and deals with airlines like Azul in Brazil for global expansion.
Lilium’s focus on regional air mobility (RAM)—connecting cities up to 300 km apart—positions it uniquely for Germany’s dense urban corridor from Bavaria to Brandenburg. Munich, a tech and automotive powerhouse, serves as Lilium’s R&D nerve center, while Berlin’s status as a startup capital and smart city pioneer offers fertile ground for deployment.
Understanding Smart Cities and Urban Air Mobility
Smart cities leverage IoT, AI, and data analytics to optimize resources and enhance livability. In transportation, this means multimodal systems, which involve the seamless integration of buses, bikes, autonomous vehicles, and—potentially—air taxis. Germany’s “Smart City” initiative, backed by the Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and Transport, targets 75 model cities by 2030, with a focus on zero-emission mobility.
Urban Air Mobility (UAM) fits perfectly, promising:
- Reduced Congestion: eVTOLs bypass ground traffic, cutting Munich-Berlin travel from 5-6 hours by train to under 1 hour.
- Sustainability: Electric propulsion aligns with EU Green Deal goals, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050.
- Equity: Vertiports (dedicated takeoff/landing pads) integrated into public transit hubs could make air travel accessible, not just elite.
Berlin’s “Smart City Berlin” program and Munich’s “Münchner Modell” already experiment with digital twins for traffic forecasting. Lilium’s eVTOLs could integrate with these, utilizing AI for route optimization and real-time demand prediction.
| Aspect | Traditional Mobility (Train/Car) | Lilium eVTOL UAM |
| Munich-Berlin Time | 4-6 hours | ~45 minutes |
| Emissions | High (diesel/electric mix) | Zero (battery-powered) |
| Capacity | 100s per vehicle | 4-6 passengers per flight |
| Cost per Trip (est.) | €50-100 | €100-200 (initially) |
| Infrastructure Needs | Rails/roads | Vertiports + charging |
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Lilium’s eVTOL Technology: Engineering the Future
At the core of Lilium is the Lilium Jet, a 7-seater (pilot + 6 passengers) eVTOL featuring 36 ducted electric fans for quiet, efficient flight. Unlike propeller-based competitors (e.g., Joby Aviation), Lilium’s jet-like design enables cruise speeds of 280 km/h and ranges over 250 km—ideal for Munich (Weihenstephan vertiport) to Berlin (Tempelhof field).
Key features:
- Powertrain: 36 fans in 30 engines, using high-energy-density batteries from partners like Customcells (silicon-anode tech for 20% more range).
- Autonomy: Level 2 automation initially, scaling to full independence by 2030, with AI from Honeywell for navigation.
- Safety: Redundant systems and EASA/FAA certification pursuit; first human-crewed flight targeted for early 2025 (delayed from prior plans).
- Scalability: Future variants include a 16-seater (2027) and 50-seater (2030) for high-volume routes.
Lilium’s vertiport ecosystem—modular pads with ABB fast-charging—integrates with smart city grids, drawing renewable energy and feeding data to urban dashboards.
Lilium’s Blueprint for Munich and Berlin
Lilium’s German strategy focuses on the “Bavaria-Brandenburg Axis,” linking Munich’s industrial strength with Berlin’s innovative scene. While no operational Munich-Berlin route exists yet, conceptual plans outline:
Munich: The Launchpad
- Hub Development: Lilium’s Oberpfaffenhofen facility doubles as a test vertiport. Partnerships with Munich Airport explore cargo-to-passenger transitions.
- Pilot Programs: By 2025, demo flights for stakeholders, tying into Munich’s “Digital City” initiative for traffic relief.
- Integration: Vertiports at Allianz Arena or Olympiapark, synced with S-Bahn via apps for last-mile connectivity.
Berlin: The Gateway
- Urban Fit: Berlin’s abandoned Tempelhof Airport is eyed for vertiports, aligning with its “Sustainable Mobility 2030” plan.
- Collaborations: Ties with Berlin Partner for economic development; potential Lufthansa routes for business travelers.
- Route Vision: Daily shuttles from Munich, serving events like IFA or Oktoberfest, for commuters.
Broader plans include a pan-European network, with Germany as Phase 1. A 2024 MoU with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) explored UAM simulations for smart grids.
Challenges and Roadblocks
Lilium’s path hasn’t been smooth:
- Regulatory Hurdles: EASA certification delays pushed human-crewed flights to 2025.
- Financial Strain: Multiple funding shortfalls led to a second insolvency filing in February 2025, halting operations. As of September 2025, Dutch firm AAMG is bidding up to €750 million for assets, with the aim of resuming development. This echoes a brief December 2024 rescue, but uncertainty lingers.
- Infrastructure Gaps: Vertiports require zoning changes; noise concerns persist despite Lilium’s quiet fans (60 dB at takeoff).
- Competition: Rivals like Volocopter (Heidelberg-based) and Archer Aviation vie for UAM dominance.
Critics argue eVTOLs may exacerbate urban inequality if priced high, but Lilium counters with subsidies and shared models.
Future Outlook: Revival and Legacy
As of late September 2025, Lilium’s fate hinges on the successful completion of the asset sale. If AAMG succeeds, production could restart by 2026, with demonstrations in Munich and Berlin by 2027. Success would catalyze Germany’s UAM market, projected at €9 billion by 2040.
Even in limbo, Lilium’s IP—encompassing ducted fans and battery technology—could seed spin-offs, influencing smart city blueprints. Policymakers in Munich and Berlin continue UAM trials, ensuring Lilium’s vision endures.
Conclusion
From Munich’s labs to Berlin’s skies, Lilium embodies the bold fusion of aerospace and urban planning. Its eVTOLs promise a greener, faster Germany, turning the 550-km corridor into a 45-minute hop. Although financial woes loom on the horizon, Lilium’s innovations have already reshaped the discourse on smart cities. As bids unfold, watch this space: the jet from Bavaria may yet soar over the Spree. For updates, follow Lilium’s newsroom or Germany’s UAM forums.
