MUNICH, Germany, July 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lilium N.V. (NASDAQ: LILM), developer of the first all-electric vertical take-off and landing jet, announced today that it has successfully completed the fourth and final Design Organization Approval (“DOA”) audit by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (“EASA”).

The successful completion of the DOA audit is a key milestone in Lilium’s progress towards becoming an EASA DOA holder, a requirement for aircraft manufacturers, and demonstrates that Lilium has the necessary organization, procedures, competencies, and resources to design and certify aircraft.

EASA grants DOA holders’ special privileges. In particular DOA holders can a) have compliance documents accepted by EASA without further verification and b) perform activities independently from EASA. In collaboration with EASA, Lilium is pursuing a DOA specifically tailored for eVTOL and electric propulsion certification.

“In simple terms, a Design Organisation Approval can be thought of as a ‘licence to operate.’ An aerospace company in Europe can neither hold a Type Certificate, nor undertake or approve design activity without having a DOA. Successfully completing the fourth and final DOA Audit pays tribute to the calibre of our team and the rigour of our design processes,” said Alastair McIntosh, Lilium Chief Technology Officer.

Lilium applied for EASA DOA in 2017 and has since been working to develop, implement, and demonstrate the appropriate systems and resources. Having completed this fourth EASA audit, Lilium will now enter the final phase of the DOA process – the follow up and closure of outstanding actions and administrative steps to complete the process. Satisfactory conclusion of this phase leads to the issuance of the DOA certificate, targeted for later this year.

In parallel with the ongoing DOA process, Lilium continues to make substantial progress towards type certification of its Lilium Jet. Lilium was awarded its EASA certification basis for the Lilium Jet in 2020. EASA’s requirements (“SC-VTOL”), published in 2019 after extensive industry consultation, represent the highest safety objectives globally for eVTOL aircraft. As previously announced, Lilium has submitted 100% of its proposed certification plans for the Lilium Jet, with 78% of the Means of Compliance agreed or accepted.

The FAA issued its G-1 for the Lilium Jet last month, making Lilium the only eVTOL manufacturer with both an EASA and FAA certification basis for a powered lift eVTOL aircraft.

Lilium contact information for Media:

Meredith Bell, Vice President, External Communications
+41 79 432 57 79
press@lilium.com

Contact information for Investors:

Dr. Folke Rauscher, Investor Relations
investors@lilium.com

About Lilium

Lilium (NASDAQ: LILM) is creating a sustainable and accessible mode of high-speed, regional transportation for people and goods. Using the Lilium Jet, an all-electric vertical take-off and landing jet, offering leading capacity, low noise, and high performance with zero operating emissions, Lilium is accelerating the decarbonization of air travel. Working with aerospace, technology, and infrastructure leaders, and with planned launch networks announced in Germany, the United States, Brazil and the United Kingdom, Lilium’s 800+ strong team includes approximately 450 aerospace engineers and a leadership team responsible for delivering some of the most successful aircraft in aviation history. Founded in 2015, Lilium’s headquarters and manufacturing facilities are in Munich, Germany, with teams based across Europe and the U.S. To learn more, visit www.lilium.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including, but not limited to, statements regarding Lilium N.V.’s and its subsidiaries’ (collectively, the “Lilium Group”) proposed business and business model, the markets and industry in which the Lilium Group operates or intends to operate, the Lilium Group’s progress towards type certification (and type certificate validation) of its Lilium Jet with EASA and the FAA, the expected timing of receiving type certification (and type certificate validation) from EASA and the FAA, the Lilium Group’s expected receipt of EASA DOA, the effect on Lilium Group’s business from securing an EASA DOA, and the anticipated timing of the commercialization and launch of the Lilium Group’s business in phases and the expected results of the Lilium Group’s business and business model, including when launched in phases. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections, and other statements about future events that are based on management’s current expectations with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risk and uncertainties and subject to change at any time. Actual events or results may differ materially from those contained in the projections or forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release include those discussed in Lilium’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including in the section titled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2022, on file with the SEC, all of which are available at www.sec.gov. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. You are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and the Company assumes no obligation to, and does not intend to, update, or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.