Saudi Arabia Signs Huge Deal with Germany

The German flying taxi manufacturer Lilium reported that Saudi Arabian Airlines signed a deal today, Thursday, to purchase 100 electric flying vehicles, marking one of the largest orders the company has received so far. Lilium explained that the state-owned Saudi Arabian Airlines has made a firm order for 50 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles from Lilium, with the option to acquire an additional 50 later on. The first of these vehicles is expected to join the Saudi airline's fleet in 2026. The agreement was signed at Lilium's headquarters on the outskirts of Munich during a visit by executives from the Saudi company to Germany. Saudi Arabian Airlines states that it intends to use the small electric flying vehicles to transport pilgrims between Mecca and Jeddah, as well as to transport visitors to the Kingdom for major sporting events in the capital, Riyadh, and to tourist destinations.