Joby Aviation to Acquire Blade Air Mobility's Passenger Operations Division
Joby Aviation, a leading developer of electric air taxis, has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Blade Air Mobility's urban air mobility passenger business. This acquisition is strategically important for Joby's commercial operations in Dubai and global rollout.
The deal, expected to close in the coming weeks, subject to standard closing conditions, encompasses all of Blade's passenger operations in the US and Europe, along with the Blade brand. However, it excludes Blade's Medical division.
Rob Wiesenthal, the founder and CEO of Blade Air Mobility, will continue to lead the company after the acquisition. Blade's operations will operate independently as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Joby. After 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's ElevateOS software will be integrated into Blade's systems to improve cost efficiency and passenger experience. The acquisition aims to merge Joby's technology with Blade's ten years of experience in providing premium transportation services.
In 2024, Blade transported over 50,000 passengers through a network of 12 urban terminals, including dedicated facilities at John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty Airport, and various locations in Manhattan. Blade's operations are in key urban markets, including New York City and Southern Europe.
Joby has been making strides in the aviation industry, having announced a partnership with Flexcompute in June this year to advance the development of its next-generation eVTOL aircraft. The acquisition of Blade Air Mobility is another step towards advancing the commercialisation of electric air taxis.
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Joby plans to commence passenger operations in Dubai next year, transitioning a loyal customer base from traditional helicopter services to its next-generation aircraft. The acquisition is a significant milestone for both companies, and it is exciting to see what the future holds for electric air taxi services.
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