SANTA CRUZ & NEW YORK – Joby Aviation has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Blade Air Mobility’s urban passenger business in a deal valued at up to $125 million. The move positions Joby to fast-track the commercialization of its electric air taxi services, leveraging Blade’s established infrastructure and customer base in key U.S. and European urban markets.
Blade, which transported more than 50,000 passengers in 2024 across 12 urban terminals, operates premium lounges and terminals in New York, including bases at JFK, Newark, Wall Street, and Manhattan’s East and West Sides. These operations will continue under the leadership of founder and CEO Rob Wiesenthal as a wholly owned subsidiary of Joby.
The acquisition provides Joby with immediate market access, allowing the company to shift loyal Blade passengers from conventional helicopters to its next-generation, quiet, zero-emission aircraft. Joby plans to integrate its ElevateOS software into Blade’s operations to improve efficiency and the passenger experience.
“This is a strategically important acquisition that will support the successful launch of Joby’s commercial operations in Dubai, our subsequent global rollout and our continued leadership in the sector,” said Joby founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt. He credited Blade with building “a world-class passenger experience that demonstrates the value of vertical lift.”
In addition to the passenger business, the partnership extends to Blade’s organ transport division, which will remain a separate public company to be renamed Strata Critical Medical. Joby will become its preferred VTOL partner wherever it operates, highlighting the potential for high-value, mission-critical air medical services.
Under the terms of the agreement, Joby will pay Blade up to $125 million in stock or cash, including $35 million in holdbacks tied to performance milestones and key employee retention. The transaction is expected to close in the coming weeks, pending customary approvals.
SOURCE: JOBY AVIATION IMAGE:
