Flying Taxis in Florida: What Residents Need to Know

Florida frequently makes headlines with its unusual news events. Just recently, one homeowner mistakenly believed an alligator was inside their garage, only to discover it was a pool toy; another found a python inside their washing machine; and emergency services were called to rescue a horse from a septic tank.

Despite these quirky occurrences, reports from Orlando residents regarding airborne taxis should be taken seriously, as they may soon become a reality. Lilium Aviation, a German startup founded five years ago in Munich and supported by venture capital, specializes in the design and production of electric aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing. The company is currently discussing potential tax benefits with the city to establish a 56,000-square-foot transportation center, with a commitment to create 100 well-paying jobs.

As reported by the Orlando Business Journal, this proposed facility – intended as a launch and landing site for Lilium’s initial U.S. transportation network – would involve a $25 million investment. City projections estimate this would generate $1.7 million in economic activity over a decade. (Lilium also initiated discussions in September with Düsseldorf Airport and Cologne Bonn Airport in Germany regarding the potential transformation of these airports into regional air mobility centers.)

This appears to be a strategic moment for Lilium – with its aircraft not anticipated to be operational until 2025 – to engage with cities about supplementary airport income. The pandemic has significantly reduced passenger numbers, and cargo transport has also been affected. Airports currently derive 95% of their revenue from aeronautical and non-aeronautical services.

Lilium’s financial position has also been strengthened by a recent $35 million funding round in June, spearheaded by Baillie Gifford, Tesla’s largest investor, bringing the company’s total funding to $375 million.

Previous investors in the company include Atomico, Tencent Holdings, and Freigeist.

We previously interviewed Atomico founder Niklas Zennström in late 2016 following the firm’s leading role in a €10 million Series A funding round for Lilium. While the investment appeared ambitious at the time, considering competitors like Terrafugia and AeroMobile, the prospect of everyday flying vehicles may be closer than previously thought. Both investors and company founders appear to share this belief, as there are currently at least 15 different “flying car” and taxi projects under development.