Saudia Plans eVTOL Jets for Mecca and Coastal Destinations

Saudi Arabia’s national airline, Saudia, is set to introduce electric jets to service routes to luxury resorts and the holy city of Mecca.

The airline has partnered with Munich-based firm Lilium to provide eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) jets for direct connections to remote locations along the Red Sea coast and for transporting Muslim pilgrims from Jeddah to Mecca, which currently lacks an airport.

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Razan Shaker, Saudia’s communications affairs manager, shared insights on the initiative during a logistics forum in Riyadh. “Our strategy is to bridge the locations and cities that do not have an airport or are challenging to access,” she explained. The plan includes creating a helipad at the iconic Fairmont Makkah Clock Royal Tower hotel, close to the Grand Mosque, to facilitate direct flights for pilgrims.

In July, Saudia announced its decision to purchase 50 Lilium eVTOL jets, with options for an additional 50. This order marks the largest firm commitment to eVTOL aircraft by an airline, underscoring a substantial push towards electric aviation.hajj flight schedule 2024 Each jet can seat four to six passengers and has a range of up to 175 kilometers (109 miles). Saudia expects to begin receiving the aircraft in 2026.

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While the deal’s financial details remain undisclosed, Lilium’s chief innovation engineer, Daniel Wiegand, mentioned that the jets typically cost between $7 million and $9 million each. Click here to know haj flight schedule 2024 india

Saudi Arabia’s Cargo Airline Plans

In a separate development, Saudi Arabia may soon launch a new cargo-only airline. According to an August 20, 2024 report by Bloomberg, the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is in discussions with Airbus and Boeing to acquire freighter aircraft for this venture. If successful, this new airline would further strengthen Saudi Arabia’s logistics and aviation sectors, aligning with the country’s Vision 2030 goals.