German electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi manufacturer Lilium continues to gear up for its planned 2026 launch of commercial advanced air mobility (AAM) services.
The manufacturer of the Lilium Jet on Monday announced it selected U.K.-based AJW Group as the exclusive parts distributor for customers worldwide. AJW is an independent aircraft component parts, repair, and supply chain solutions provider and will help bolster Lilium’s aftermarket services business. The company is also partnered with Collins Aerospace, one of the world’s largest suppliers of aerospace and defense products.
Material management is a core part of Lilium’s aftermarket unit, which also covers training, digital and ground operations, and in-service support. The company expects the segment to generate recurring revenue and materially contribute to profits as its Jet becomes widespread.
“This is a very important step as we advance towards our planned entry into service in 2026 and a major milestone in the development of our strategic and comprehensive support offerings for our customers,” said Sebastien Borel, chief commercial officer of Lilium. “AJW’s proven world-class expertise in material management and exemplary warehouse and logistics services align seamlessly with our commitment to excellence.”
A strategic collaboration between Lilium and AJW will cover global material services and distribution. It includes management of spares inventory, warehousing and logistics services, and repair and asset management.
“We are driven to pioneer revolutionary products, strategically positioning the group at the forefront of transforming aviation efficiency,” said Scott Symington, chief commercial officer of AJW. “Our partnership with Lilium marks a significant stride towards realizing this vision and steering the industry towards a more sustainable aviation future.”
Lilium began production of its flagship Jet—a unique design featuring 36 electric ducted fans embedded in fixed wings—in December. Compared to air taxis from competitors such as Joby Aviation or Archer Aviation, the aircraft is geared more toward the premium segment, with a high price tag and luxurious interior.
Lilium also diverges from the competition in terms of use case. Rather than traveling within a single metro area, the seven-seat Jet is designed to ferry passengers between towns and inner cities, flying 25 to 125 sm (21 to 108 nm) routes at up to 186 mph (161 knots).
Production of the Jet comes after Lilium obtained design organization approval (DOA) from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). DOA is a required step in type certification for companies developing EASA Part 21 commercial aircraft. Only a handful of eVTOL manufacturers, including Volocopter and Vertical Aerospace, have received the approval.
“In simple terms, the DOA is our license to operate and confirms that Lilium has the organization, procedures, competencies, resources, and demonstrated rigor required to design and certify aircraft according to the very highest safety standards,” said Alastair McIntosh, chief technology officer and head of design organization at Lilium, in November.
However, Lilium is looking beyond Europe, as evidenced by its global partnership with AJW. The firm is also the only eVTOL manufacturer with type certification bases from both EASA and the FAA.
In October, Lilium officially entered the U.S. market with the launch of private sales of the Lilium Jet Pioneer Edition. The Pioneer is the planned launch edition of the full-scale Jet and will debut a few years earlier. About 50 will be built and sold at a hefty price tag of $10 million each.
According to Matthew Broffman, head of Lilium partnerships and network for the Americas, targeting wealthy, individual buyers early on is part of the firm’s long-term market strategy. The company is also selling Pioneer Edition models in the Middle East and other markets.
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