German-Designed eVTOL Jet Gearing Up for Commercial Service in Orlando

If you’re excited about future electric air taxi operations and happen to live in Florida, you’ll be happy to find some good news related to AAM. First, a full-scale eVTOL vertiport is being built at Orlando International Airport (MCO). Second, that will become the main operational base in Florida for one of the most complex and innovative air taxi designs, the German Lilium jet.The official announcement comes four years after Lilium joined forces with the City of Orlando and Lake Nona. Launching a commercial air taxi service requires tremendous work behind the scenes, especially since it involves dedicated infrastructure that needs to be built from scratch. It’s a collaborative effort between local authorities, state officials, and multiple industry partners.

Strategically positioned in the middle of Florida, this upcoming AAM hub is set to become a true airport city that won’t be limited to electric aviation but will include all forms of transportation. In theory, the vision for green transportation in the future is widely based on these types of “multi-modal” hubs where eVTOL flights are intertwined with other forms of green transportation.

As for Lilium, the German eVTOL maker confirmed central Florida as one of its “key launch regions.” The Orlando vertiport at MCO is set to pave the way for many other vertiports across Florida as legislation approvals continue to progress.

The Lilium eVTOL jet is striving to get the green light from both the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) and is expected to enter commercial service in just two years from now.

This revolutionary eVTOL jet technology was derived from the classic jet engines that currently power up to 95% of the existing commercial fleets. Lilium developed electric jet engines integrated into the wing flaps, which use a single-stage rotor/stator system driven by an electric motor. Lilium’s Ducted Electric Vectored Thrust (DEVT) technology is said to increase aerodynamic efficiency and payload while also optimizing the aircraft’s noise footprint.

The Lilium jet will be available in several configurations, including a luxury private jet with fewer seats and a customizable cabin made of high-end materials. GKN and Collins Aerospace are just a few of the top-level industry partners that will ensure this aircraft’s advanced performance.

Orlando, Florida, will be just one of the many Lilium launch locations worldwide, including the UK, the Middle East, and China. The six-seat configuration for passenger transport will likely be the Lilium Jet version operating in Orlando. In the meantime, the Texas-based EMCJET was designated exclusive dealer for private sales in the US until 2030, initially targeting customers in Austin, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio.