Page 6 - FARNBOROUGH AIR SHOW 2024 - DAY 2 | DAILY NEWS

Lilium Signs Deal with Saudia Group for 50

eVTOLs, to Work with GACA on AAM Regulations

develop, and implement the necessary reg-
ulatory and procedural framework.

The sales agreement with Saudia Group,
which follows a MoU signed in October
2022, is the largest of its kind in the MENA
region and is the most substantial firm
order of eVTOL aircraft by an airline. The
two companies will also finalise a “Lilium
POWER ON” agreement for aircraft fleet
maintenance and support services.
Advanced air mobility (AAM) company On the opening day of the Show, the Saudi
Lilium, which is riding the momentum Arabian General Authority of Civil Aviation
generated by the Saudia Group signing a (GACA) and Lilium signed a memorandum Saudia Group anticipates receiving the first
binding sales agreement for the purchase of understanding (MoU) to develop and im- jets in 2026, with operations managed by
of 50 Lilium Jets, is showcasing a full-scale plement the required regulations for eVTOL Saudia Private, a subsidiary of the Group.
mock-up of its eVTOL aircraft at the Show. operations in Saudi Arabia beginning in The Lilium Jet will feature large, premium
The Saudia Group contract also has an 2026. The partnership will start by setting cabins accommodating up to six passen-
option for an additional 50 aircraft. up a joint Working Group preparing the reg- gers plus luggage, delivering the valued
ulations in Saudi Arabia for the introduction Saudia premium experience.
The agreement between Saudia Group and of regional electric air mobility.
Lilium was signed just days before the Prior to commercialisation, Saudia Group
Show at Lilium’s headquarters in Munich Dedicated sub-working groups for infrastruc- will support Lilium’s certification process
by Fahd Al-Jarbou, CEO of Saudia Private, ture, air operations, airworthiness, and air- with the General Authority of Civil Aviation
representing Saudia Group, and Lilium’s space integration, led by GACA and support- (GACA), Saudi Arabia’s aviation regulatory
CEO Klaus Roewe. ed by Lilium, will jointly discuss, accelerate, agency.

Boeing Issues Landmark Guidance part of Navy readiness,” said Rick Kamin,
Operational Energy Manager for the U.S.
on Use of SAF for Defence Aircraft Naval Air Systems Command and lead for
the Tri-Service Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricants
Users Group’s synthetic aviation turbine
Boeing has released a landmark guidance alignment between commercial and military fuels qualification team. “The global NTO
at the Royal International Air Tattoo, RAF fuel standards, to the benefit of all.” helps expedite the U.S. Department of
Fairford aimed at supporting global militar- Defense’s approval of synthetic aviation
ies who are evaluating the adoption of SAF SAF is a fully approved fuel source that turbine fuels critical to assuring worldwide
into their fleets. Boeing has told its defence is fully interchangeable with conventional interoperability.”
customers that company-built military air- fuels such as Jet A or Jet A-1. Additionally,
craft can operate on Sustainable Aviation multiple SAFs have been incorporated into In 2010, Boeing had collaborated with the
Fuel (SAF) at currently approved limits of military fuels specifications, such as JP-8/ U.S. Air Force on an in-depth fuel study
up to 50% blend with conventional fuel. NATO F-34 or JP-5/NATO F-44. as part of their efforts to certify the C-17
Globemaster to use SAF blends. The same
“Qualifying synthetic aviation turbine fuels, year, Boeing also supported the supersonic
The global No Technical Objection (NTO) which includes SAF, expands the DOD’s flight of a U.S. Navy F/A-18F “Green Hornet”
states there are no technical issues with operational capacity and is an important on a 50/50 SAF blend.
Boeing defense aircraft operating on syn-
thetic aviation turbine fuels, which includes
SAF. The NTO applies to all Boeing-built
defense aircraft and their derivatives. “SAF
is widely accepted today as a drop-in re-
placement that works with existing aircraft,
and also provides opportunities for global
interoperability as well as strategic resil-
ience through local fuel production,” said
Steve Parker, senior vice president and chief
operating officer at Boeing Defense, Space
and Security. “We hope this NTO will clear
the way for more widespread SAF adoption
by our military customers and propel greater

6 JULY-23-2024 WWW.GBP.COM.SG/DAILY NEWS