Joby Aviation to acquire Blade Air Mobility's passenger-focused operations

In a significant move to advance the commercialisation of electric air taxis, Joby Aviation has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the urban air mobility passenger business of Blade Air Mobility. The deal encompasses all of Blade's passenger operations in the US and Europe, along with the Blade brand, but excludes Blade's Medical division. This acquisition provides Joby Aviation with immediate access to key urban markets, particularly in New York City and Southern Europe. Joby plans to leverage Blade's existing infrastructure to transition a loyal customer base from traditional helicopter services to its next-generation aircraft. The acquisition is aimed at accelerating the commercial launch of Joby's electric air taxis, with the successful launch of Joby's operations in Dubai serving as a testament to this ambition. In June this year, Joby announced a partnership with Flexcompute to advance the development of its next-generation eVTOL aircraft. This partnership will continue to play a crucial role in Joby's mission to revolutionise urban air mobility. Meanwhile, Blade has been making waves in the industry. In 2024, the company successfully transported over 50,000 passengers through a network of 12 urban terminals located in major air mobility markets. The company's operations will continue under the leadership of its founder and CEO, Rob Wiesenthal, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Joby. As part of the acquisition, Joby will become the preferred vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) partner for Blade's organ transport business, which will be rebranded as Strata Critical Medical. Joby will compensate Blade with stock or cash, up to $125m, contingent on customary indemnity provisions and performance milestones. The new CEO leadership at Strata Critical Medical following the acquisition involves Rob Wiesenthal, founder and former CEO of Blade, shifting to CEO of Blade Air Mobility at Joby and chairman of Strata's board. Will Heyburn (CFO of Blade) and Melissa Tomkiel (president and general counsel of Blade) become Co-CEOs of Strata, maintaining their previous roles simultaneously. Moreover, Joby's ElevateOS software, designed for efficient air taxi operations, will be integrated into Blade's systems to improve cost efficiency and passenger experience. This integration is expected to further streamline operations and enhance the overall user experience. By entering the Airport Technology Excellence Awards, businesses can gain recognition and position themselves among top leaders driving aviation industry advancements. This award offers a chance to showcase achievements, elevate industry profile, and position oneself among the top innovators in the aviation sector. With this acquisition, Joby Aviation and Blade Air Mobility are undoubtedly taking significant strides towards this goal. The deal is anticipated to close in the coming weeks, pending the fulfilment of standard closing conditions. This acquisition marks an exciting step forward in the electrification of urban air mobility and positions Joby Aviation as a key player in the industry.

Joby Aviation to acquire Blade Air Mobility's passenger-focused operations