New subsidiary

Air taxi manufacturer Lilium expands to China

The German air cab manufacturer Lilium has established a subsidiary in the Chinese metropolis of Shenzhen. Lilium is seeking approval for its Lilium jet in China, the company announced on Monday. In cooperation with "infrastructure partners, customers and regulatory authorities", the initial focus is on the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao metropolitan area with a population of 85 million.

In China, the Bavarian company operates under the "Strong Wing" brand. The regional headquarters in Shenzhen will support "the sales, services and support of Lilium jets". "However, Lilium intends to grow throughout China and the wider Asia-Pacific region in the future," it said.

The aircraft has been built at the headquarters in Bavaria since the end of 2023. According to the company, the first flight with a pilot on board is planned for the end of this year.

The Lilium jet is electrically powered, allowing it to take off and land vertically. According to the company, the electric aircraft has a range of 250 kilometers and reaches a cruising speed of 280 kilometers per hour.