Lilium
The first US hub location for a high-speed electric air mobility network will be launched by 2025. Credit: Lilium.

German flying taxi start-up Lilium has revealed plans to develop its first US hub for a high-speed electric air mobility network in Lake Nona, Orlando, Florida, US, by 2025.

The 56,000ft² transportation hub will connect more than 20 million Floridians living within a radius of 300km. It will cater to major cities in the state, including Orlando and Tampa.

The Lake Nona vertiport will also boost Orlando’s regional economy as it will generate more than 100 jobs, with hundreds more to follow across Florida.

Lilium will work with real estate developer Tavistock Development Company and the City of Orlando.

Lilium chief operating officer Dr Remo Gerber said: “We are thrilled to partner with Tavistock and build the first stretch of Florida’s high-speed electric transportation network with Central Florida at its core.

“It shows that regional high-speed air mobility can be built by private initiative and give communities such as Lake Nona, which can also serve Orlando and arrivals from its international airport, the ability to determine themselves whether they want a link into a high-speed transportation network.”

The project will be privately financed by Lilium while the City of Orlando would reportedly offer the company an $831,250 tax rebate over nine years.

The locations are due to be approved by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and other regulatory agencies.

City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said: “I’m thrilled that our progressive and collaborative environment has created an opportunity for this unique partnership between the City of Orlando, Lilium and Lake Nona to invest in the expansion of safe, efficient and environmentally friendly transportation options throughout one of the fastest-growing regions in the country.”