While Lilium is working hard to find different ways to save the company, there are many cards up its sleeve.
Thanks to the self-managed insolvency, the millions in euros that would be required to pay for Lilium’s more than 1,000 employees is absorbed by the Federal Employment agency. Not only does this provide some financial security for the hard working employees of Lilium, but it ensures that they can keep working on crucial milestones for Lilium, such as the structural testing and the first piloted flight in first quarter of 2025. Critics of Lilium’s use of the Federal Employment agency fail to realize that once Lilium flies past the danger zone, it could easily employ twice as many workers, and contribute to funding the Federal Employment agency as business picks up. Financial assistance to Lilium’s employees is exactly the kind of action the German Federal Employment agency was designed for.
Short-sighted politicians showed their indifference for the clean electric aircraft company. The Green party politicians were obsessing over the fact that Lilium’s luxurious jets would be bought by many rich people. They argued that taxpayer money should not finance such projects. What these politicians failed to explain to their constituents, is that once Lilium has successfully marketed and sold these luxurious 4 and 6 passenger seat electric jet aircraft, they could use the profits to develop and manufacture 50 and 100 seater passenger jets.
Sébastien Borel, CCO of Lilium knows this challenge very well, and reiterated the need to change the political and public perception of private electric aviation being a toy for the rich. At the NBAA-BACE Luncheon in Las Vegas last October, when asked about this public perception, Sebastian Borel replied:
It goes back to your point: If its flying rich people then I don’t like it. That’s all they care about. It doesn’t matter if it makes no noise, if there is no CO2 emission. There is that, you know, kind of perception that private aviation is not welcome in Europe. Having that said, we have concrete engagement, in like I said the French Riviera, Nice, Monaco, Cannes. I met 13 mayors. All of them are supporting our engagement over there. And the people, we met with the Labor in consultation. It went great, absolutely goes great!
Mr. Borel explained that regardless of the narrative that people may not want aircraft that have minimum noise pollution, if its for “flying rich people”, Lilium has “concrete engagement” with leaders in Europe, such as in the French Riviera who are actively trying to reduce the detriment of noise pollution in their communities.
This is a problem for all manufacturers of electric VTOL aircraft. There is a great need to educate the public about how all these advancements in clean electric aircraft technology (as well as battery technology) eventually lowers the overall costs to allow electric aviation to become more accessible to everyone. It is no difference than the history of conventional airplanes, which also started as a luxury for the privileged few and is now a common use service for practically everyone.
Furthermore, for Europe to be serious about zero CO2 emissions, they need to be actively engaged in making sure eco-friendly European aircraft manufactures are appreciated and more importantly, have the resources necessary to accomplish the noble goal of a Europe with cleaner skies. Political fights as the one about air taxis flying over Paris during the Olympics distract from what really matters. A sustainable solution for air travel, than can only be available for everyone, if society and leaders are willing to invest and support it. At the same NBAA-BACE luncheon, Sébastien Borel explained the political games, as well the great cooperation between serious government leaders who want to reduce CO2 emission and Lilium.
When it goes to national level, and you’re referring to the Volocopter, maybe the opposition from the Mayor to have Volocopter fly during The Olympics, that was total political game against the other party, and we have to fight that. We fight that alot, political games happening. But when we go to the bottom of the industry, where we actually talk to people in charge, its actually working out very well. So we have to get away from that game, and the Co2 pressure, that you know we have, especially in Europe today with zero emission is going to help us tremendously getting those politicians to stop those kind of games between each other.
Lilium’s cards
The Free State of Bavaria ♣️
There are still talks with the Free State of Bavaria for financial assistance. Hopefully the politicians and administrators will realize that letting Lilium collapse, or be sold for its patents to companies that have no plans to invest in Bavaria would be a grave mistake.
France ♥️
There is still a €220 million option on the table from the French government, which was initially approved for Lilium. This would be for manufacturing to occur in France and bring 850 jobs to the country. The plan would total €400 million over several years.
Investors of Lilium’s suppliers ♦️
The investors of Lilium’s suppliers may be interested in investing in Lilium. After all, a successful Lilium with a growing need of supplies, is good for its suppliers. Lilium’s suppliers have been very supportive of Lilium and are on board for helping Lilium obtain the parts and supplies necessary to accomplish its goals and deadlines.
Other Investors ♠️
No list has been published, but there are signals that the skies are opening up for Lilium.
Investors from all over the world have learned about Lilium’s technology and want to see it succeed, and might use this opportunity to get the deal of their lifetime.
More Info:
Lilium’s May 13 press release about French investment: click here
Article: Say “Oui” to the Fleur de Lys! ⚜️ Lilium’s destiny in an electrified France.
Le Monde article about City of Paris attempts to ban air taxis during Olympics: click here