SOURCE: PNAIn the bustling city of Manila, an unprecedented venture is unfolding. German air mobility firm Lilium is considering the Philippines as the launch pad for its first Southeast Asian operation network of all-electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) jets, or as they are colloquially known, 'flying cars'. This move signifies an exciting phase in aviation history, as the potential to revolutionize transport and mobility in the region draws closer to reality.
The synergy between Lilium and local aviation services company PhilJets is the driving force behind this initiative. Scheduled to sign a strategic memorandum of understanding (MOU) at the Singapore Airshow, the collaboration aims to bring eVTOL technology to the Philippines and extend its reach across ASEAN.
The expansion of Lilium's footprint into Southeast Asia, particularly the Philippines, is seen as a strategic move. The archipelagic nature of the country, with its thousands of islands, provides an ideal setting for the deployment of eVTOLs, offering sustainable and high-speed air mobility.
Under the MOU, PhilJets has expressed interest in acquiring an initial set of 10 Lilium jets. The firm's chairman, Thierry Tea, believes that the country's growing economy, geographic layout, and booming tourism industry make it a perfect match for the capabilities of the Lilium Jet.
This initiative is seen as a significant step towards reducing the country's carbon footprint. Innovation in aviation is gaining traction worldwide, and the eVTOLs embody this trend, offering efficient connectivity while significantly reducing carbon emissions.
Beyond establishing the Philippines as a launchpad for eVTOLs in Southeast Asia, the partnership between Lilium and PhilJets aims to develop a future service. This includes defining routes, identifying city pairs, and assessing passenger demand for an on-demand eVTOL service in the region.
The partners will also work on identifying potential sites, requirements, and partners for landing infrastructure, featuring the concept of 'vertiports'. This includes sharing vertiport specifications and leveraging Lilium's existing network of charging hardware providers.
The Philippines is marking its presence at the 2024 Singapore Airshow with its own pavilion, sponsored by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Asian Business Aviation Association, and Berthaphil Clark, under the theme “One PH Aviation: Together We Fly”.
Beyond the Philippines, Lilium is also targeting to bring the 'flying cars' to Cambodia, indicating the firm's ambitious plans to revolutionize air mobility in the broader Southeast Asian region.
With the advent of eVTOL technology, the future of air mobility is on the horizon. As Lilium and PhilJets spearhead this initiative, the potential for 'flying cars' to redefine the transport landscape in Southeast Asia is more palpable than ever.
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