Joby Aviation, a maker of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis for commercial passenger service, has entered into a definitive agreement with Blade Air Mobility, an urban air mobility company, to acquire Blade’s passenger business.

“Blade was founded with the mission of democratising short-distance air travel by facilitating the transition from conventional rotorcraft to quiet, emissions-free electric aircraft, and I believe there is no better partner than Joby to make that mission a reality,” said Blade’s CEO Rob Wiesenthal.

Blade’s passenger unit offers air transportation of up to 100 miles (161 km) for travelers and last-mile critical cargo using helicopters and amphibious seaplanes for passenger routes in the United States, Canada, Southern Europe and India. Blade has terminals in New York City, Vancouver and several locations in Southern Europe.

In 2024, Blade reported that it flew more than 50,000 passengers from a network of 12 urban terminals, including dedicated lounge and terminal bases at John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty Airport, as well as the West Side of Manhattan, the East Side of Manhattan and Wall Street.

The CEO of Joby, JoeBen Bevirtt, termed the deal “a strategically important acquisition,” adding that, with access to the infrastructure and customer base Blade has secured, “we will be in the best possible position to launch our quiet, electric aircraft as soon as certification is secured.”

The company’s medical division, which was not included in the transaction and will remain a separate public company, has announced plans to partner with Joby on medical transportation for patients and organ transplants.

“The acquisition will allow Joby to combine its best-in-class technology with Blade’s decade of experience delivering premium customer transportation at scale, as Joby looks ahead to carrying its first passengers in Dubai next year,” the company said.

Source: Joby Aviation