SEA looking at eVTOL network in Lombardy region

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) is certainly making news at the Farnborough Air Show in the UK, with Milan airport operator, SEA, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today that lays the groundwork for the development of a passenger electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) network across Italy’s Lombardy region.

SEA’s MoU partners are Lilium NV, a leading electric aircraft manufacturer and pioneer in Regional Air Mobility (RAM), and Skyports Infrastructure (Skyports), a leader in vertiport infrastructure for the AAM industry.

The Lombardy region is a strategically important location for the partners as it is home to nearly a fifth of Italy’s population, and with over 37 million visitors annually, regional air mobility will complement and integrate with the region’s existing mobility solutions to provide faster, low emission travel between key locations.

With the signing of the MoU, the parties will strive and collaborate to launch a vertiport network with operators of the Lilium Jet as soon as 2027.

SEA will contribute providing airport management capability and deep knowledge of the region’s aviation and infrastructure ecosystem.

Skyports will provide its expertise and experience in the development and integration of vertiport infrastructure, working closely with SEA on the operation of the vertiports.

Lilium brings aircraft expertise and its pioneering Lilium Jet, designed to offer industry-leading capacity, the longest operational range at the highest speed, with minimal noise, while maintaining zero operating emissions.

The agreement will see the parties develop regional air mobility routes that serve key locations across Lombardy.

The first route to be developed will connect Milan Malpensa Airport – the largest international airport in northern Italy, which transported over 26 million travellers last year – and Milan city centre.

Armando Brunini, CEO of SEA Milan Airports, said: “This partnership with Lilium, one of the leading manufacturers in this emerging industry, and Skyports, already our partner, further consolidates the prospects for the development of Advanced Air Mobility in Lombardy.”