Lilium Starts Studying Air Taxi Assembly Locations In The US This Year

Lilium wants taxi production to fly in the US (photo: @lilium)

JAKARTA - A German company, Lilium, plans to begin studying the possible location of air taxi assemblies in the United States by the end of this year. They want to have a factory operating in early 2029 to gain a foothold in one of the world's largest markets.

According to Lilimo CEO, Klaus Roewe, they plan to complete the location next year and expect to invest "250 million to 300 million plus" euros (Rp4.4-5.2 trillion) in the final assembly line and increase production.

"But the company "would need financial support" to carry out the assembly line," Roewe added, a former Airbus veteran quoted by VOI from Reuters.

Until the end of March, Lilium had a liquidity of 102 million euros, but that was before they raised $114 million in capital required to achieve their first manned flight.

Lilium is also in talks to raise money through loans with the help of the German and French governments, in which the latter is linked to Lilium's development and expansion of its industrial footprint in France.

Lilium is one of many participants in the electric aircraft market to take off and land vertically (eVTOL) which has attracted the attention of airlines and automakers.

Executives and analysts at Farnborough Airshow note that the industry has many technological and regulatory challenges that must be addressed before flying passengers and achieving profitability - something that some investors don't miss out on.

US-listed Lilium shares have fallen 21.7% to 92 cents this year, while its counterparts Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation fell 25.73% and rose 0.45%, respectively.

Founded in 2015, Lilium is targeting a regional transport market with a jet with a range of 250 kilometers (155 miles) and can carry up to six passengers, in contrast to many competitors who are primarily eyeing short trips between the city and the suburbs.

Lilium hopes that the jet can start operating by 2026.