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Earlier this year, Saudia Hajj and Umrah, a subsidiary of the holding company, obtained a license from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to serve pilgrims. The group aligns with the Kingdom’s commitment to enhance the pilgrimage experience in all aspects including transportation.

Last week, Saudia Group and Lilium N.V., a leading electric-aircraft manufacturer and pioneer in Regional Air Mobility, signed an agreement for 50 Lilium Jets, with options for purchasing a further 50.

The contract was signed by Fahad Al-Jarboa, CEO of Saudia Private, and Lilium’s CEO Klaus Roewe. This was in the presence of Ibrahim Al-Omar, director-general of Saudia Group, Michael Kindsgrab, the German ambassador to ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ, and Lilium Chairman Tom Enders.

The sale agreement, which follows the memorandum of understanding between Saudia Group and Lilium signed in October 2022, marks the largest of its kind in the Middle East North Africa region. It also represents an important industry milestone as the largest reported order of eVTOL aircraft by an airline.

The group is aligning with the Kingdom’s commitment to enhance the pilgrimage experience in all aspects including transportation.

Al-Omar confirmed that Saudia Group would acquire all-electric eVTOL jets. This reflects the national carrier’s commitment to continuously reduce its carbon footprint and become an industry leader in regional electric aviation.

Besides the Hajj and Umrah seasons, Saudia Group plans to operate the all-electric aircraft on regional point-to-point air services, and in its hub airports for tourist flights associated with sporting and entertainment events, operating on routes of up to 175 km.

As part of its mission, Saudia Hajj and Umrah aims to deliver high-quality services to pilgrims. This includes offering packages that cover flight bookings at both domestic and international airports, accommodation, transportation between cities, and organizing visits to historical Islamic sites.

The development of Hajj and Umrah services for pilgrims and visitors in the Kingdom is expected to continue unabated. It is among the top priorities of the government’s vision for the sector.

ÌýSaudia Group's order of these electric flying taxis is a testimony to a quantum leap step in the mobility and logistics arena to provide further high-quality services with comfort for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.

• Basil M.K. Al-Ghalayini is chairman and CEO of BMG Financial Group.

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