Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation and Lilium sign MoU to collaborate on development and implementation of eVTOL regulation in the Kingdom

Core Points - The partnership between the Saudi Arabian General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and Lilium N.V. aims to develop regulations for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) operations in Saudi Arabia, with a target operational entry in 2026 [3][8] - A joint Working Group will be established to address regulatory, legislative, and procedural aspects necessary for the implementation of Innovative Air Mobility (IAM) in Saudi Arabia [2][8] - Lilium's expertise in aviation regulation will support GACA in creating a robust regulatory framework for eVTOL operations, aligning with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 [5][9] Regulatory Framework - The joint Working Group will focus on infrastructure, air operations, airworthiness, and airspace integration to facilitate the introduction of regional electric air mobility [1][8] - Lilium has extensive experience in regulatory development through participation in various international aviation working groups, which will be leveraged in this collaboration [4][8] - The agreement reflects GACA's commitment to advancing innovative air mobility solutions and ensuring safe and efficient eVTOL operations [9] Industry Context - Saudi Arabia recognizes the growth potential of eVTOL and aims to integrate these new transport modes into existing traffic and airspace structures by 2026 [8] - Lilium is positioned as a leader in the electric aircraft sector, focusing on sustainable and accessible high-speed regional transportation [6][10] - The collaboration with GACA is part of Lilium's broader strategy to establish a presence in key international markets, including the Middle East [10]