Lilium has started assembling the first of the seven aircraft it will use to complete type certification for its six-passenger eVTOL vehicles. Announcing the milestone on September 19, the German company said it is on track to achieve a first crewed flight with the Lilium Jet in late 2024.

The fuselages have been developed in collaboration with aerostructures specialist Aciturri, which is making them at its plant in Valladolid, Spain. The first shipset is expected to be delivered to the Lilium final assembly line at Wessling, near Munich, in the fourth quarter of this year.