Electric aircraft manufacturer, Lilium, SEA Milan Airports and vertiport specialist, Skyports Infrastructure, have partnered to develop a regional air mobility network in northern Italy.
A strategically important location for all three companies, the Lombardy region is home to nearly a fifth of Italy’s population and with more than 37 million visitors annually, regional air mobility will complement and integrate with the region’s existing mobility solutions to provide faster, low emission travel between key locations.
The partnership will help to unlock new potential for regional air transport network infrastructure in northern Italy. “This partnership will support our vision of pioneering a new era of regional air mobility in Europe with the electrification of premium tourist routes in the region,” said Sebastien Borel, CCO of Llilium.
The first route to be developed will connect Milan Malpensa Airport and Milan city centre.
The plan now is to launch a vertiport network with operators of the Lilium Jet as soon as 2027. SEA will contribute providing airport management capability and deep knowledge of the region’s aviation and infrastructure ecosystem. Skyports will provide its experience in the development and integration of vertiport infrastructure, working closely with SEA on the operation of the vertiports. Lilium brings its pioneering Lilium Jet designed to offer the longest operational range at the highest speed, with minimal noise, while maintaining zero operating emissions.
“We’re bringing together key partners to introduce regional air mobility services. With significant support from aviation and infrastructure stakeholders, including our investor 2i Aeroporti, this partnership demonstrates Italy’s readiness to launch the next generation of aviation,” said Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports.
“We’ve been working with our partners at SEA for some time and we’re excited to prepare to open the doors of our vertiports and see eVTOL aircraft take flight over Lombardy.”
With the Italian Civil Aviation Authority ENAC, supporting the project, it recently published a comprehensive national urlebook – the first of its kind in Europe – for VTOL capable aircraft, positioning Italy as a frontrunner in the introduction of Innovative Air Mobility in Europe.
