How Susanne Klatten is conquering the startup scene

The flying object, which is supposed to bring the mobility of the future, is reminiscent of an insect. With jagged wings and narrow black eyes, it perches on the small airstrip in Villacarrillo, Andalusia. It is still quiet on this July morning between the olive plantations.

The sky is cloudless. Then it starts. A loud roar resounds across the square. And then it looks like the object is pushing off the ground. After a few seconds and at an altitude of about 80 meters, it leaps forward and flies towards the olive trees. The noise becomes quieter. Soon it sounds like a distant highway.

Daniel Wiegand is standing on the roof terrace of the Atlas flight test center about 50 meters from the take-off site. A young man in blue shorts, a blue polo shirt with the company logo on it, and light-colored canvas sneakers. He holds his smartphone in both hands and films. His eyes follow the plane. his plane. The Lilium flying taxi.