Former Airbus chief executive Tom Enders has joined the board of German flying taxi start-up Lilium.
Munich-based Lilium impressed the aviation industry veteran with its strong business case, focus on intercity shuttle flights, a close relationship with Europe's safety and certification authority EASA and strong partnerships for its production and flight operations, Mr Enders said in a blog post on Monday.
"Today, Lilium is on its way from visionary start-up to serious aircraft manufacturer and service provider," he said. "Our industry needs nothing so much as innovation and new perspectives. That's the only way we can maintain and renew our licence to fly."
Lilium, which was established in 2015, has raised more than $375 million in funding from investors such as China's Tencent Holdings and investment management firm Baillie Gifford, according to its website. The company, which currently employs more than 600 people, aims to bring into service a fully-electric five-seater flying taxi that can take-off and land vertically.
Mr Enders, who left European planemaker Airbus in 2019, has more than 30 years of aerospace experience.
The executive dismissed sceptics and critics of the new technology's commercial viability.
"This is a rocky and by no means risk-free road," Mr Enders said. "But how are we going to move aviation forward if not with fresh ideas and courageous young entrepreneurs? The history of aviation is full of so-called experts and doubters who declared back then that everything that we see flying today would be impossible or impractical."
In November, Lilium said it would establish its first US hub for high-speed electric air mobility network in Orlando, Florida, with plans to start operations by 2025. The location provides the opportunity to connect more than 20 million Floridians within a 186-mile radius using the electric aircraft that can travel distances of up to 300km within one hour on a single charge.
How are we going to move aviation forward if not with fresh ideas and courageous young entrepreneurs?
In October 2019, the start-up completed a test flight of the aircraft as part of its first phase of testing with the Lilium Jet.
Mr Enders is the latest aviation executive to join innovative start-ups racing to transform short-range travel. Climate change activists have pressured the aviation industry to shift towards more sustainable flights.
WHAT%20IS%20THE%20LICENSING%20PROCESS%20FOR%20VARA%3F
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Ant-Man and the Wasp
Director: Peyton Reed
Starring: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas
Three stars
Brief scores:
Toss: South Africa, chose to field
Pakistan: 177 & 294
South Africa: 431 & 43-1
Man of the Match: Faf du Plessis (South Africa)
Series: South Africa lead three-match series 2-0
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
The 12 breakaway clubs
England
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus
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Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid
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Price: From Dh139,000
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Cultural fiesta
What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.
