The Saudi Arabian General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and Lilium are to develop and implement the required regulations for eVTOL operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia beginning in 2026.

The partnership will start by setting up a joint working group preparing the regulations in Saudi Arabia for the introduction of regional electric air mobility. Dedicated sub-working groups for infrastructure, air operations, airworthiness and airspace integration, led by GACA and strongly supported by Lilium, are to jointly discuss, accelerate, develop and implement the necessary regulatory and procedural framework.

Saudi Arabia has recognised the enormous growth potential of eVTOL aircraft and intends to take a decisive step towards the introduction of the new modes of transport into existing traffic and airspace structures by 2026 with the published Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Roadmap. Lilium has already been in close contact with GACA in recent years and has supported the development of the regulatory framework and procedures needed to safely operate eVTOL in Saudia Arabia.

Lilium has a wide knowledge of the regulatory development, processes and relevant legislation based on the participation in different ICAO working groups (such as ICAO AAM SG and ICAO VFIWG), EASA working groups (such as RMT.230 including the active and driving participation and contribution to EASA PTS-VPT-DSN and EASA Part-IAM), EUROCAE working groups, discussions with the FAA and ANAC, and different similar national approaches in Europe. Given this background, Lilium will support and collaborate with GACA in the joint dedicated working group for Saudi Arabia.

The working group will be the expert group that identifies, addresses and defines the action items that will be worked on for the implementation of IAM in Saudi Arabia in terms of regulation, legislation and procedures.

His Excellency Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, president of GACA, says: “This agreement reflects GACA's commitment to advancing innovative and sustainable air mobility solutions for Saudi Arabia, in support of Vision 2030. By working with global advanced air mobility companies, we aim to establish a robust regulatory framework that ensures the safe and efficient operation of eVTOL aircraft.”

Lilium CEO Klaus Roewe says: “We are very thankful that GACA has chosen Lilium to develop and implement the regulatory framework for eVTOL in Saudi Arabia. It acknowledges Lilium's knowhow in aviation regulation. Our goal is to jointly advance regulatory and practical steps for suitable framework conditions for electric aviation and our customers in Saudi Arabia. This MoU delivers on one of the main ingredients required to successfully launch eVTOL operations; a definitive path to all relevant regulatory cornerstones.”

This follows Saudia Group's purchase of up to 100 eVTOL aircraft from Lilium, announced on 18 July, and builds on the momentum of recent successful air taxi trials in support of GACA's AAM roadmap development.

In June 2024, GACA, in partnership with the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services, the Ministry of Hajj, the Ministry of Interior and Front End Limited Company, conducted an air taxi trial in Mecca using the EHang EH216-S pilotless eVTOL aircraft. In 2023, a successful air taxi trial was also conducted at NEOM by Volocopter, marking significant progress in integrating eVTOL technology into Saudi Arabia's aviation landscape.