- Ferrovial and Lilium will collaborate on 10+ vertiports in the US
- Zero-carbon vertiports to provide green, high speed, affordable services to connect communities
Austin, Texas/Munich, Madrid, 27 January 2021 – Ferrovial, a global leading infrastructure operator, and Lilium, the aviation company developing an all-electric, vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) jet aircraft and service, have signed a framework agreement to develop a network of at least ten vertiports. The zero-carbon infrastructure and services will cover strategic locations in all major cities across Florida. This partnership seeks to provide an efficient and environmentally friendly alternative transport network connecting locations across Florida.
Vertiports are a key component in realizing the enormous potential of innovations in eVTOL aviation, providing infrastructure for landing, recharging, and taking off with passengers. Ferrovial and Lilium will collaborate in designing and constructing the vertiport facilities as well as the operation and maintenance of the vertiports for passenger service. The first location in South Florida will be announced as soon as Spring 2021.
Commenting on the partnership, Daniel Wiegand, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, Lilium said: "Our partnership with Ferrovial to develop flight infrastructure, is a critical step in delivering the potential of regional air mobility to provide high speed, affordable, emissions-free travel to millions of people. As we accelerate our launch plans, Lilium is committed to partnering with industry leaders, bringing together their strengths and experience with our aircraft technology and passenger service infrastructure. We're excited about what we will achieve together."
Dr. Remo Gerber, Chief Operating Officer, Lilium continues: "Our strategy to bring high-speed transportation networks to an entire region is being brought to life in Florida, and Ferrovial is the ideal partner with their unrivalled expertise in airport construction and operations around the globe. Nearly all 20 million Floridians will live within 30 minutes of our vertiports and the 140 million annual visitors to the Sunshine State will have a high-speed option available to travel to their destinations."
"We are delighted to partner with Lilium in this big step towards new ways of achieving air mobility and sustainable infrastructure. Our partnership will deliver a uniquely different end-to-end passenger experience," said Jorge Gil, CEO Ferrovial Airports.
"At Ferrovial, we are determined to conceptualize, design and build the future of transport and mobility infrastructures. In this case, we partner with Lilium, one of the leading companies in this nascent urban air mobility ecosystem to deliver an innovative mode of transport that will shorten distances and improve quality of life for citizens," adds Rafael Fernandez, Ferrovial Innovation Director.
The Lilium Jet will connect regions in new, sustainable, and more convenient ways. The efficient and ultra-low noise electric jet engines allow the Lilium Jet to operate in densely populated urban areas and cover longer distances at high-speed with zero operating emissions. By saving time and enhancing connectivity, the service will drive significant economic growth for cities and increase access to industry, culture, and nature.
Ferrovial serves a world on the move. The company has earned a reputation as a leading infrastructure investor and operator, dedicated to developing sustainable solutions throughout the lifecycle of a project with an integrated approach, taking advantage of its business units' synergies. Ferrovial currently manages $10 billion in assets in the United States. Ferrovial Airports is ready to be a player in the future of vertiports and urban air mobility. Providing passengers with choice and air travel alternatives contributes to the commitment to enhanced and further personalized passenger experience.
About Lilium
Lilium is an aviation company developing an emissions-free regional air mobility service. It has designed and prototyped the Lilium Jet, a brand-new type of aircraft that will enable it to deliver regional journeys that are faster than rail or road, yet competitive in price. The full-scale five-seater demonstrator first flew in May 2019 and is a fully electric aircraft that can take-off and land vertically (eVTOL). The Lilium Jet has 36 all-electric ducted fans with acoustic liners, capable of capturing and dissipating noise before it leaves the engine, thus blending into typical urban environments. Lilium expects to service a sizable global market demand by connecting communities at a fraction of the cost of conventional high-speed infrastructure, with zero operating emissions.
Co-founded in 2015 by four visionary engineers, Daniel Wiegand (CEO), Sebastian Born, Matthias Meiner and Patrick Nathen, Lilium has attracted more than $375m in funding from world-class investors such as Atomico, Tencent, Baillie Gifford, LGT, Freigeist and Obvious Ventures. Lilium has offices in Munich, Zurich, London, and Washington D.C., and currently employs more than 600 people. Find out more at www.lilium.com, or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Medium.
About Ferrovial
Ferrovial, a leading global infrastructure operator, is committed to developing sustainable solutions. It is a member of Spain's blue-chip IBEX 35 index and an industry leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index; it is part of FTSE4Good and the Carbon Disclosure Project, and all its operations are conducted in compliance with the principles of the UN Global Compact, which the company adopted in 2002. For more information visit www.ferrovial.com.
Ferrovial Airports have been part of the aviation industry since 1998 and have more than 20 years of experience investing, developing and operating 33 airports around the world, including the United States, Australia or Chile. The current portfolio in the United Kingdom consists of four airports. With a 25% stake, Ferrovial is the largest shareholder and industrial partner in Heathrow Airport, the busiest hub in Europe (pre-COVID data). It also holds a 50% stake in the Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Southampton airports.
Ferrovial recently launched its new open innovation platform, Foresight to explore the future of transportation infrastructure and mobility. Foresight is a digital space to create together within the innovation ecosystem alongside clients, startups and other agents in the sector for a better future with a long-term vision. Foresight serves as a meeting point to collaborate in new projects and exchange knowledge about new trends and technologies.
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