Joby to Acquire Blade’s Passenger Business for Up to $125 Million

Deal gives air-taxi maker ready-made routes and customers as it pursues FAA approval

Matt Ryan

Tuesday, August 05, 2025 at 05:27 PM ET

Verified

Edited By: Ryan Ewing

Joby aircraft [Credit: Joby Aviation]

Key Takeaways:

Joby Aviation is acquiring Blade Air Mobility's passenger business for up to $125 million to accelerate the commercial launch of its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
This acquisition provides Joby with Blade's established customer base, urban terminals, and a decade of operational expertise, serving as a "launchpad" for its upcoming air taxi service.
Blade's passenger operations will continue as a wholly owned Joby subsidiary, gradually transitioning from helicopters to Joby's eVTOLs as Joby progresses towards FAA certification and paid passenger flights, expected to begin early next year.

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Joby Aviation said Monday it will acquire Blade Air Mobility’s passenger business for as much as $125 million, a move designed to speed the rollout of its electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for commercial service. Blade’s medical organ-transport division is excluded from the transaction and will be rebranded as Strata Critical Medical, though it will partner with Joby on future medical-transport operations.

Joby CEO JoeBen Bevirt told Reuters the deal brings “a launchpad, a catalyst to really grow the experience” by adding Blade’s existing customer base, takeoff and landing locations and a decade of operational know-how. He confirmed the company remains on track to begin FAA Type Inspection flight testing of its eVTOL early next year—a key step toward securing certification and launching paid passenger flights.

Blade carried more than 50,000 passengers in 2024 from 12 urban terminals, including New York’s John F. Kennedy and Newark Liberty airports and several Manhattan locations. Post-closing, Blade’s passenger operations will continue under CEO Rob Wiesenthal as a wholly owned Joby subsidiary. The combined fleet will initially include both helicopters and Joby’s electric air taxis, with a gradual shift to all-electric service. Of the total consideration, $35 million is tied to performance milestones and retention of key employees.