Lilium GmbH
A German aerospace company founded to develop electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Lilium GmbH was a German aerospace company and electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft developer founded in 2015 by four engineers and doctoral students from the Technical University of Munich: Daniel Wiegand, Sebastian Born, Matthias Meiner and Patrick Nathen. The company was named after Otto Lilienthal, the German aviation pioneer. Its central product concept was the Lilium Jet, a battery-powered aircraft intended to combine vertical takeoff and landing with faster, longer-distance regional travel than conventional multirotor air taxis. Lilium's aircraft architecture used multiple electrically driven ducted fans integrated into movable wing flaps. The propulsion units were designed to point downward for takeoff and landing, then rotate toward a forward-facing position for cruise flight. This configuration was intended to provide a relatively quiet, compact aircraft capable of carrying several passengers without a conventional runway. Lilium promoted the aircraft for air-taxi, airport-transfer and regional mobility services rather than only as a personal aircraft. The company began flight testing with the uncrewed, two-seat Lilium Eagle demonstrator, which made its first flight near Munich on 20 April 2017. A larger five-seat prototype, later known as Phoenix, first flew in May 2019. In October of that year Lilium released video of the aircraft performing a transition from vertical flight to horizontal cruise and announced completion of an initial manufacturing facility. The company initially targeted a five-seat commercial aircraft and later redesigned the vehicle as a seven-seat version during the period surrounding its public-market transaction. Lilium attracted substantial venture funding from investors including Atomico, Tencent, Freigeist and LGT. It also developed relationships with Honeywell, Tavistock Development Company, SBB and Azul. Proposed applications included connections between rail stations and homes, urban and suburban air-taxi services, and regional routes. In 2021, Lilium combined with the special-purpose acquisition company Qell Acquisition Corporation and began trading on Nasdaq through Lilium N.V., giving the business access to public capital while it remained pre-revenue and continued certification and aircraft-development work. The business required continuing large investments in engineering, manufacturing, certification and infrastructure. Losses and cash requirements increased as the planned entry into service moved further into the future. Lilium pursued repeated capital increases and sought government-backed financing, but it did not secure a proposed €50 million loan from the Bavarian government in October 2024. The board then approved self-administration proceedings for German subsidiaries. Operations were halted and approximately 1,000 employees were laid off in December 2024. A proposed acquisition of parts of the business by Mobile Uplift Corporation was announced later that month, but the planned financing did not materialize. In February 2025, the company was reported to have filed for insolvency. Accordingly, the original Lilium GmbH operating business is treated here as defunct, while the status of any successor assets or entities remains uncertain.
History
Lilium was established in 2015 by Daniel Wiegand, Sebastian Born, Matthias Meiner and Patrick Nathen, four engineers and doctoral students associated with the Technical University of Munich. The name referenced Otto Lilienthal, the German aviation pioneer. From the beginning, the company focused on electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft rather than conventional fixed-wing airplanes or helicopter designs. Its propulsion concept placed numerous electrically powered ducted fans in movable wing flaps. The flaps could direct thrust downward during takeoff and landing and gradually rotate to support forward flight. Lilium argued that this arrangement could deliver runway-independent operation while retaining the speed and range advantages of a wing-borne aircraft. The proposed market included on-demand air taxis, airport connections and short regional journeys. The first substantial flight milestone came on 20 April 2017, when the uncrewed, two-seat Lilium Eagle demonstrator flew at the Mindelheim-Mattsies airfield near Munich. Lilium raised $90 million later that year and publicly discussed a five-seat commercial aircraft targeted at air-taxi services. In 2018, the company expanded its commercial and design organization, including the appointment of Frank Stephenson as chief designer and the recruitment of marketing and corporate-development executives. It also received recognition from the Stevie Awards. A five-seat prototype called Phoenix flew for the first time in May 2019. During October, Lilium released video showing vertical takeoff followed by transition into horizontal flight and announced the completion of an initial manufacturing facility. The company developed a software engineering base in London and hired aerospace and production specialists with experience at Airbus, Boeing, NASA and other large industrial organizations. Lilium also explored transport partnerships, including discussions with Swiss national rail operator SBB and a later agreement with Tavistock Development Company for a proposed vertiport in Lake Nona, Florida. In March 2020, Tencent led a $240 million financing round with participation from existing investors. During 2021, Lilium pursued a public listing through a merger with Qell Acquisition Corporation. The transaction closed in September, and Lilium N.V. began trading on Nasdaq. Around the same period, the company announced an avionics relationship with Honeywell and an aircraft letter of intent from Brazilian airline Azul for 220 seven-seat aircraft. Tom Enders, the former Airbus chief executive, joined the board, while Klaus Roewe was selected to replace co-founder Daniel Wiegand as chief executive in 2022. The public listing did not resolve the fundamental financial challenge. Lilium remained a pre-revenue aerospace developer with considerable certification, manufacturing and infrastructure costs. It reported a 2020 loss of €188 million, a 2021 cash outflow of €217 million and a first-half 2022 loss of €123.7 million. Further capital increases were announced in 2022 and 2023, but management continued to identify large funding requirements before the aircraft could enter service. The business reported a €253 million loss for 2022 and a €263 million loss for 2023. Independent reporting also raised questions about the accuracy of earlier financial statements and the feasibility of some aircraft performance claims. Lilium continued to pursue commercial commitments, including a binding July 2024 agreement with Saudia Group for 50 aircraft plus options for 50 more. Nevertheless, the company could not secure a proposed €50 million loan from the Bavarian government. On 24 October 2024, the board approved self-administration applications for German subsidiaries. Operations ceased on 20 December and approximately 1,000 employees were laid off. On 24 December, Mobile Uplift Corporation announced a proposed acquisition of parts of the business and an intention to retain many employees. The rescue plan was subsequently undermined when promised financing failed to materialize. In February 2025, a further insolvency filing was reported. The original operating company is therefore classified as defunct, and the status of any successor enterprise requires separate verification.
- 2025
Further insolvency filing reported
[1]A proposed investor rescue fails to provide promised funding, followed by a reported insolvency filing.
- 2024
Self-administration proceedings begin
[1]The board approves proceedings for German subsidiaries after a proposed Bavarian loan is not secured.
- 2022
Klaus Roewe becomes chief executive
[1]Klaus Roewe replaces co-founder Daniel Wiegand as chief executive.
- 2021
Public-market transaction closes
[1]The company merges with Qell Acquisition Corporation and Lilium N.V. begins Nasdaq trading.
- 2020
Tencent-led financing round
[1]Lilium raises $240 million in a round led by Tencent and joined by earlier backers.
- 2019
Phoenix prototype flies
[1]The five-seat prototype completes its first flight and later demonstrates transition from vertical to horizontal flight.
- 2017
Lilium Eagle makes its first flight
[1]The uncrewed two-seat proof-of-concept aircraft flies near Munich on 20 April.
- 2015
Lilium is founded
[1]Four Technical University of Munich engineers and doctoral students establish the company to develop electric vertical-takeoff aircraft.
Products and positioning
Lilium positioned itself as an advanced-air-mobility and aerospace manufacturer developing quiet, battery-electric aircraft for premium air-taxi, airport-transfer and regional transportation services. Its differentiation rested on distributed electric propulsion, ducted fans integrated into movable flaps, and a fixed-wing aircraft configuration intended to combine vertical access with efficient horizontal flight.
Technology demonstrator · 2017
Lilium Eagle
The Eagle was an uncrewed, two-seat proof-of-concept aircraft used to demonstrate Lilium's distributed electric propulsion and vertical-takeoff architecture. It made its maiden flight near Munich in April 2017 and served as an early validation platform before the company moved to larger passenger prototypes.
Electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft
Lilium Jet
The Lilium Jet was the company's principal commercial aircraft program. It used electrically powered ducted fans mounted in movable wing flaps, allowing vertical takeoff and landing followed by wing-borne forward flight. Early plans described a five-seat aircraft with a target speed and range of approximately 300 km/h and 300 km; later development centered on a seven-seat configuration for air-taxi and regional services.
Passenger-aircraft prototype · 2019
Phoenix
Phoenix was Lilium's five-seat prototype and a major step beyond the Eagle demonstrator. It first flew in May 2019 and was used to demonstrate the company's transition-flight concept, in which propulsion units shift from a downward vector for takeoff toward a forward vector for cruise. It was not a certified commercial aircraft.
Controversies
2021
Reported financial-statement correction
Research reported by Welt am Sonntag said Lilium had corrected its balance sheet, increasing the stated 2019 startup loss from €42.8 million to €75.4 million and including a warning concerning the company's continuation.
2021
Former employees describe flight-test difficulties
Forbes cited former employees who alleged that aircraft development and flight testing faced significant challenges. The claims contributed to wider scrutiny of Lilium's technical progress and public projections.
2020
Questions about aircraft performance claims
A report in Aerokurier argued that Lilium might not achieve some published aircraft-performance targets. Four German aerospace academics later criticized what they viewed as investor-oriented public-relations claims. Lilium disputed the criticism and said the analysis underestimated the efficiency of its hover propulsion system.
Marketing campaigns
- 2021Lilium public-market launch
United States · International
The company used its SPAC transaction and Nasdaq listing to present Lilium as an advanced-air-mobility platform and to raise public-market capital for aircraft development.
Outcome. The listing provided access to public investors, but the company continued to face large funding needs and remained pre-revenue.
- 2019Lilium Jet flight-transition launch
International
Lilium released flight footage showing the Jet taking off vertically and transitioning into horizontal flight, using the demonstration to communicate the aircraft's proposed combination of runway independence and fixed-wing cruise.
Outcome. The footage increased visibility for the program and supported later commercial and financing efforts, but did not constitute certification or commercial service.
Brand decisions
2024
Seek self-administration after funding failureStrategyBackground
Lilium faced continuing losses and could not secure an agreement for a proposed €50 million loan from the Bavarian government.
Action taken
The board approved applications for self-administration proceedings covering German subsidiaries.
Aftermath
Operations ended in December, approximately 1,000 jobs were lost, and a later proposed takeover failed to secure the promised rescue financing.
2022
Change chief executive and continue capital raisingStrategyBackground
The company remained in aircraft development and needed additional funding before certification and market entry.
Action taken
Klaus Roewe replaced co-founder Daniel Wiegand as chief executive, while Lilium pursued additional financing and continued its aircraft redesign and certification strategy.
Aftermath
The business remained pre-revenue and later required further capital increases as projected market entry moved into the future.
First-half net loss. €123.7 million (First half of 2022)
2021
Merge with Qell Acquisition CorporationM&ABackground
Lilium required substantial capital for aircraft development and sought a public-market financing route.
Action taken
The company completed a business combination with Qell and began trading through Lilium N.V. on Nasdaq.
Aftermath
Lilium gained public-market access but continued to report substantial losses and capital requirements.
Reported fiscal-year loss. €188 million loss in 2020 (Fiscal year 2020)
2019
Build an initial manufacturing facilityProduct launchBackground
After prototype flight progress, Lilium needed to move beyond laboratory and demonstrator work toward repeatable aircraft production.
Action taken
The company announced completion of its first manufacturing facility in October 2019.
Aftermath
The facility supported the intended transition toward production, although certification and commercial manufacturing were not completed.
Recent events
Reported
FlightSafety International, Lilium and NetJets agree on eVTOL pilot training[2]
FlightSafety International announced a memorandum of understanding with Lilium and NetJets to provide pilot training for Lilium Jet eVTOL operations.
Reported
Lilium and Azul sign memorandum for 220 Lilium Jets[3]
Lilium signed a memorandum of understanding with Azul for the acquisition of 220 Lilium Jets valued at $1 billion as part of its planned expansion into Brazil.
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Lilium partners with Honeywell on Lilium Jet systems[4]
Lilium partnered with Honeywell to develop the electronics and mechanical systems for the seven-seater Lilium Jet. Honeywell is to supply a fly-by-wire system and the aircraft's avionics system.
Reported
Lilium reveals its 7-Seater Lilium Jet[5]
Lilium revealed its 7-Seater Lilium Jet, which it described as the first of its serial aircraft. The company said the aircraft and its regional shuttle service were projected to support sustainable, high-speed transportation.
Reported
Lilium and Qell announce business combination[6]
Lilium and Qell announced a definitive business combination agreement on March 30. The proposed transaction was subject to Qell stockholder approval and other customary closing conditions.
Reported
Lilium announces merger with Qell Acquisition[7]
Lilium announced a merger with Qell Acquisition Corp. that is expected to take Lilium public on Nasdaq; the transaction was expected to close in the second quarter of 2021.
Reported
Lilium reveals seven-seater Lilium Jet[6]
Lilium revealed its seven-seater Lilium Jet, a regional electric aircraft that it says is targeted to enter serial production in 2024.
Reported
Lilium unveils seven-seat Lilium Jet production design[7]
Alongside announcing its merger with Qell, Lilium unveiled the production design of its Lilium Jet, scaled up to seven seats from the five-seat technology demonstrator.
Reported
Lilium partners with Ferrovial to build Florida vertiports[8]
Electric air taxi company Lilium partnered with infrastructure company Ferrovial to build at least 10 vertiports at strategic locations across Florida.
Lilium completes funding round of more than $240 million[9]
Lilium completed an internal funding round worth more than $240 million, led by Tencent and involving existing investors including Atomico, Freigeist and LGT. The article says the funds will support development of the Lilium Jet and preparations for serial production.
Sources10 sources
- 1Lilium GmbHen.wikipedia.org
- 2FlightSafety International、Lilium 与 NetJets 达成电动垂直起降飞行器飞行员培训合作flyingmag.com
- 3Lilium与Azul签署220架Lilium Jet的谅解备忘录aviationweek.com
- 4Lilium与Honeywell合作开发Lilium Jet系统techcrunch.com
- 5Lilium发布7座Lilium Jetsuasnews.com
- 6Lilium 与 Qell 宣布业务合并compositesworld.com
- 7Lilium宣布与Qell Acquisition合并aviationweek.com
- 8Lilium 与 Ferrovial 合作在佛罗里达州建设垂直起降机场flightglobal.com
- 9Lilium完成逾2.4亿美元融资aero-news.net
- 10Lilium称原型机测试进展支持扩大生产能力deccanchronicle.com
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