The Bao’an District of Shenzhen municipality and Lilium N.V. (NASDAQ: LILM), developer of the first all-electric vertical take-off and landing (“eVTOL”) jet, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the opening of a regional Lilium headquarters in Bao’an District as a first step in a partnership to establish a safe and sustainable eVTOL service in China with the Lilium Jet. The collaboration will initially focus on the Guangdong–Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, with a population of over 85 million people, with plans to grow across China and the broader Asia-Pacific region.

The goal of the regional headquarters is to represent Lilium in China and the Asia-Pacific region and to facilitate Lilium Jet sales, services, and support in the area. The Bao’an District’s extensive regional knowledge will benefit Lilium as the two parties build the foundation for premium eVTOL operations in the Greater Bay Area, including defining launch routes, use cases, and other logistics related to the Lilium Jet’s entry into service.

A representative of the Bao’an District of Shenzhen municipality said: “As the aerial gateway of Shenzhen and a hub for the aerospace industry, Bao’an District possesses unique advantages in the development of the low-altitude economy, including a central location in the Greater Bay Area, robust industrial support, and a wide range of application scenarios. Lilium has always been at the forefront of the eVTOL field and is a global leader in electric aviation. Going forward, we will create a better environment and provide greater support for the project to land, allowing enterprises to develop in Bao’an with peace of mind. We also hope that Lilium will accelerate its footprint in Bao’an, expanding the establishment of sales centers, research and development centers, production, and other facilities in Bao’an, to achieve faster and stronger growth.”

Klaus Roewe, CEO of Lilium said: “China represents an enormous opportunity for the eVTOL industry we believe, projecting to amount to as much as 25% of the market. We are thrilled to be entering China with such a strong partner – the Bao’an District. Fast, comfortable, and sustainable transport will strongly contribute to the region’s development. We are grateful for the commitment and engagement the Bao’an District is offering.”

Lilium has strong customer interest for the Lilium Jet worldwide, and to date has a pipeline of potential sales from multiple customers across Europe, South America, the Middle East, the United States, and Asia. Entry into the important Chinese market underlines the rapid global penetration of Lilium as a leading eVTOL manufacturer.