German electric jet start-up company Lilium announced on Monday that it will be entering a $1 billion commercial deal with Brazilian airline Azul.

Lilium takes to Brazilian skies

The partnership will see 220 of Lilium’s jets, which are designed to take off and land vertically, in Brazilian skies within the next five years.

The initiative is part of a new electric vehicle take off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft network which could radically change high speed regional travel for the country.

Daniel Wiegand, Co-Founder and CEO of Lilium says the partnership will bring further success to the Brazilian aircraft company.

“Azul has brought convenient and affordable air travel to underserved markets across the Americas and this makes them an ideal partner for Lilium,” says Wiegand.

“We’re excited to work with Azul’s seasoned team to deploy a co-branded eVTOL network in Brazil.”

The seven-seater jets are expected to cost $4.5 million to produce, according to CNBC who spoke with Alex Asseily, Lilium’s chief strategy officer. 

Additionally, they’re expected to reach speeds of 175 miles an hour, while covering a 155 mile range.

Lilium seven-seater passenger jets to transform travel

Brazil is home to one of the world’s leading civilian helicopter and business aviation markets that sees close to 100 million domestic passengers annually.

Because of this, John Rodgerson, CEO of Azul, says they have the full potential to implement the eVTOL market in the country as the demand for it exists. 

“Our brand presence, our unique route network, and our powerful loyalty program give us the tools to create the markets and demand for the Lilium Jet network in Brazil,” Rodgerson says.

“As we did in the Brazilian domestic market over the last 13 years, we look forward to again, now with the Lilium Jet, working to create a whole new market in the years to come.”

Since Azul’s founding in 2008, Chairman David Neeleman says the Brazilian Aviation market has since doubled with the company, capturing almost 60 percent of the growth. 

“We know how to create and grow new markets, and once again we see a huge market opportunity by bringing the Lilium Jet to Brazil.”

Written by Rebecca Borg