Joby Acquires Blade Passenger Biz for $125M to Accelerate Air Taxi Rollout

Joby Aviation has finalized the acquisition of Blade Air Mobility’s passenger ride-share business for up to $125 million , payable in cash or stock depending on Joby’s choice. The agreement includes performance-based holdbacks totaling $35 million , payable upon meeting milestones and retaining key personnel.

Joby acquires Blade’s U.S. and European passenger transport operations , including Blade’s exclusive lounges, terminals, brand, and customer base. Blade’s medical organ transport division remains public under the new brand Strata Critical Medical , partnering with Joby on future med-tech services.

Immediate infrastructure access : Joby gains Blade's established urban terminals (e.g., JFK, Newark, Manhattan) that moved over 50,000 passengers in 2024 .

Seamless market expansion : Blade’s mature, high-income customer base and per-seat model offers Joby a ready audience ahead of its planned eVTOL commercial launch in Dubai (2026) .

Operational synergy : Blade will continue as a Joby subsidiary under CEO Rob Wiesenthal , who will also serve as chair of Strata, ensuring leadership continuity during the transition from helicopters to electric aircraft .

Joby Aviation stock rose roughly 17–19% following the announcement, while Blade’s shares surged nearly 28% , reflecting strong investor confidence in the combined entity’s future growth trajectory. The acquisition positions Joby strongly for regulatory approval and commercial operations amid growing urban air mobility demand.

Source: Tech Crunch

M.A.