We’re heading to the skies – and it just happens to be with the new Saudia electric air taxis.
Yes, Saudi’s national carrier revealed that it will be adding 50 electric aircrafts from German manufacturer Lilium NV.
Announced on Thursday July 18, 2024 at an event in Gauting near Munich, the partnership is set on introducing advanced modes of travel to tourist attractions throughout the Kingdom.
Buckle in: this is everything you need to know about the new form of travel.
Saudia electric air taxis
The new Saudia electric air taxis will be made up of 50 air taxis and will be stationed across various locations including Jeddah, which will carry passengers between the Red Sea city and hotels in Makkah during Hajj and Umrah.
The rest of the air taxis will be based in Riyadh and the Red Sea, where travellers will be transported between airports and tourism projects. It is the largest order of eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircrafts by an airline.
When will the new e-taxis take to the skies?
The first piloted test flights will happen early 2025 with plans to hand over the first jets to Saudia in 2026. Currently, the first full-scale units of test aircrafts are awaiting certification.
You might also like: Saudi’s first electric air taxi flight happens in NEOM
More exciting flight news in Saudi
Saudi recently introduced self-driving flying taxis in Makkah for Hajj 2024, while the first electric air taxi flight happened in NEOM on Wednesday June 21, 2023. Saudia has also added eight new daily flights to Abha, as well as a new Saudi Coffee Finajl collab.
2026. lilium.com / @saudia_airlines.
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