Shenzhen Eastern General Aviation Co Ltd (Heli-Eastern), a major low-altitude general aviation carrier and helicopter service provider in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, has signed an agreement with Lilium N.V. , a developer of the first all-electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) jet, to order 100 Lilium jets, according to the Shenzhen-based company.

Under the agreement announced on Monday, Heli-Eastern - which operates across the Greater Bay Area, the Yangtze River Delta and the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Areas - will partner with Lilium to identify potential sites and partners for Lilium's vertiports and other ground infrastructure. Upon type-certification of the Lilium jet, Heli-Eastern will operate the aircraft in the region and provide crewing and maintenance services.

The agreement follows an announcement of Lilium signing an MOU with the Bao'an district of Shenzhen, Guangdong province, for the opening of a Lilium regional headquarter to represent the company in China and the Asia-Pacific region for Lilium Jet sales, services and support.

"We see significant potential for Lilium's eVTOL network in the Greater Bay Area, both to reach this important premium market, as well as to offer the sustainable, time-saving benefits of the Lilium Jet to as many people as possible," said Lilium CEO Klaus Roewe.

"With Lilium's premium cabin design and innovative electric jet technology, our customers can travel throughout the Greater Bay Area and beyond quickly and sustainably," said Zhao Qi, chairman of Heli-Eastern.

qiuquanlin@chinadaily.com.cn