Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

Read the latest news about German eVTOL developer Lilium.

South Florida start-up carrier UrbanLink placed orders for 20 of Lilium’s six-passenger eVTOL aircraft and plans to launch flights connecting locations such as Miami, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and Marco Island. Announcing the agreement on Monday, the European manufacturer said it includes options for 20 more Lilium Jets and scheduled pre-delivery payments.
UrbanLink plans to operate under a Part 135 certificate with a mix of scheduled and on-demand services starting in 2026, which is when Lilium intends to begin deliveries following initial type certification with EASA in Europe. The company said it expects to be able to use ground infrastructure being established in South Florida by the manufacturer and partners to take advantage of the Lilium Jet’s initial range of around 94 nm.
The operator is being launched by Ed Wegel, who was previously chairman of Global Crossing Airline Group, a U.S. Part 121 operator. In September 2022, the group’s GlobalX charter division agreed to buy up to 50 of Eviation’s nine-passenger Alice electric aircraft. Then in November 2023, it launched a new business unit called UrbanX, which signed a letter of intent for <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/news-article/2023-12-14/urbanx-launches-air-taxi-plan-miami-dade-county">up to 200 of Eve Air Mobility’s four-passenger eVTOL aircraft</a>. Plans called for a network of commuter flights across the Miami-Dade County area, with flights of up to 52 nm.
According to Wegel, he decided to form UrbanLink after determining that ambitions to launch eVTOL air services would be more likely to be fulfilled, “without the complications of being owned by an operating airline.” He has previously been involved in establishing several new U.S. Part 121 and Part 135 operations, including the 2014 certification of Eastern Air Lines’ 737-800 fleet in just eight months and establishing Global Crossing Airlines in 2020 during the Covid pandemic. He has also served as a board member for carriers including Atlantic Coast Airlines and BWIA International Airlines.
“While many airlines have discussed the potential of operating eVTOL aircraft, none have made a definitive commitment,” Wegel said. “UrbanLink will be the first airline in the U.S. to integrate eVTOL aircraft into its fleet.”
In fact, United Airlines is planning to launch services with Archer Aviation’s four-passenger Midnight aircraft in 2025, <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2023-03-23/united-airlines-and-archer-reveal-first-air-taxi-route-chicago">starting in the Chicago area</a>, and based on provisional orders for up to 200 of the vehicles. It plans to acquire up to the same number of Eve’s aircraft and is working with that manufacturer on launching initial services in 2026 in the San Francisco area.
In the New York City area, Delta Air Lines is partnered with Joby Aviation to launch services with its four-passenger eVTOL aircraft. The carrier also aims to offer eVTOL air taxi rides in Los Angeles. Both United and Delta have also made direct investments in the respective manufacturers, while American Airlines is an investor in UK-based Vertical Aerospace.
“This is a huge milestone, not only for Lilium but for the commercialization of eVTOLs in the U.S.,” commented Sebastien Borel, Lilium’s chief commercial officer. “We believe this purchase of eVTOL aircraft is the first by a commercial operator that isn’t invested in the manufacturer that it is purchasing from. This is a sign that the market for eVTOL aircraft has matured and there is growing demand for aircraft that can provide connections between, rather than just within, cities.”
The Lilium Jet features a fixed wing and canard, into which 30 electric ducted fan engines are integrated. The manufacturer initially targeted a maximum range of up to around 136 nm but has since indicated that it expects 94 nm to be the initial operating limit, based on factors such as regulators’ requirements for energy reserves. Archer and Joby have indicated that their aircraft could have similar maximum ranges, but seem to envisage that most commercial services will be shorter flights in and around cities.
Lilium is now building a second full-scale production-conforming aircraft as it prepares to start flight testing in late 2024. The company has previously announced ambitions to launch services in the Orlando area, with connections to other Florida cities including Tampa.

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UrbanLink Plans South Florida eVTOL Air Service Network with Lilium Order

The start-up has been launched by former UrbanX chairman Ed Wegel

UrbanLink plans to build its fleet with up to 40 of Lilium's six-passenger eVTOL aircraft and launch scheduled and on-demand services across South Florida.

UrbanLink Plans South Florida eVTOL Network with Lilium Order

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