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Source: Lilium
Lilium, the German eVTOL (electronic Vertical Takeoff and Landing) jet developer, recently announced a partnership with Italian vertiport network operator UrbanV and Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur (ACA), manager of France’s second largest airport, Nice – Côte d’Azur, alongside Cannes Mandelieu airport and Golfe de Saint-Tropez airport, to bring eVTOL Lilium jet flights to the south of France starting in 2026. This latest network will span the French Riviera with key destinations throughout Southern France including Monaco, Nice, Cannes, Golfe de Saint-Tropez, Aix-en-Provence, and Marseille.
This deal will leverage UrbanV’s existing infrastructure of vertiports within the region, including at Nice- Côte d’Azur, Cannes Mandelieu, and Golfe de Saint-Tropez, with additional destinations like Sophia Antipolis, Aix-en-Provence, and Marseille to be serviced by future partners.
Offering a brand new transportation mode to the region, which already welcomes over 11 million visitors a 12 months, represents an exciting opportunity for Lilium, who say their zero-emission, low-noise option provides a compelling alternative to a helicopter. UrbanV’s vertiports, designed and operated sustainably, add to the Lilium jet’s environmental advantage.
Franck Goldnadel, Chairman of the Board, Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur, said, “This collaboration with Lilium along with our subsidiary UrbanV marks a very important step within the transformation and decarbonization of regional air mobility. Our territory offers a singular opportunity to fly over the ocean to directly connect the important economic, cultural or tourist destinations. A complementary alternative to the helicopter, the eVTOL has its place within the air transport offered from Nice Côte d’Azur, laboratory of the airport of tomorrow, second platform in France and gateway to and exit from a landlocked territory.”
Carlo Tursi, CEO at UrbanV, commented, “At UrbanV, we aim to enhance people’s lives by enabling a quick, efficient, secure, and clean alternative to existing transport solutions for people and goods over short distances, by air. We’ve the ambition to develop into a serious global operator of vertiport networks and we will probably be global pioneers in establishing a number of the first AAM routes worldwide. We’re excited to partner with Lilium and Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur, two global leaders of their respective fields, and we stay up for exploring along with them the nice potential of introducing advanced air mobility within the French Riviera.”
Sebastien Borel, CCO of Lilium, added, “As a very European company based in Munich, Germany, with flight testing in Spain and with nascent roots in France, Lilium is amazingly proud to have the option to help within the creation of the primary regional eVTOL network within the South of France and the primary commercially viable network within the EU. We see an infinite potential on this region and can’t wait to see our Lilium Jet fly there soon.”
In other Lilium news in Europe, UK-based jet operator, eVolare, has signed a purchase order agreement for 4 Lilium Jets, with a further reservation of 12 jets. eVolare plans to operate Lilium Jets within the London area, connecting London with outer cities and the coastal areas of England.
Lilium has also announced an expanded partnership with Luxaviation Group, considered one of the most important business aircraft and helicopter operators worldwide, to create electrified ground infrastructure for the Lilium Jets. Starting in key European markets reminiscent of France, additionally they have sites planned for the Middle East.
More information on the Lilium jet and the brand new network in France is obtainable here.
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