Saudi Arabia’s national airline is partnering with a financially struggling German company to acquire electric jets aimed at connecting new luxury resorts and the holy city of Mecca, according to an official statement.

The Munich-based firm, Lilium, will provide aircraft that facilitate access to remote routes along the Red Sea coast and transport Muslim pilgrims from Jeddah to Mecca, which lacks an airport. Saudia’s communications manager, Razan Shaker, explained that this initiative aims to link locations without airports or those that are difficult to reach.

Plans also include transporting pilgrims to the Fairmont Makkah Clock Royal Tower hotel, located near the Grand Mosque, where a helipad is being developed.

In July, Saudia announced its order for 50 Lilium electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) jets, with options for an additional 50. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2026. This order is reportedly the largest confirmed order for eVTOL aircraft from an airline, signaling a strong commitment to electric aviation.

While the financial details of the deal have not been disclosed, Lilium’s chief engineer, Daniel Wiegand, noted that the aircraft typically range in price from $7 million to $9 million.

However, Lilium has indicated a pressing need for additional funding to sustain its operations, with its future largely depending on securing a government loan from Germany. The company is also seeking investments from private sources.

As part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s “Vision 2030,” Saudi Arabia aims to more than triple its annual aviation traffic to 330 million passengers by the end of the decade. Transport Minister Saleh al-Jasser highlighted plans for a new Riyadh airport with a capacity of 120 million passengers annually, alongside a significant expansion of the Jeddah airport.

These ambitious aviation plans have raised skepticism regarding Saudi Arabia’s climate commitments, which include achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2060.