Blade Air Mobility Soars 27% as Joby Acquisition Fuels Speculation: Is This a Short-Term Spike or a New Era for Urban Air Mobility?

Summary
• Blade Air Mobility (BLDE) surges 27.1% to $4.805, trading above its 52-week high of $5.17
• Joby Aviation acquires Blade’s passenger division for up to $125M, unlocking infrastructure and 50,000 annual fliers
• Strata rebrands as medical logistics pure-play, retaining 84% of 2024 adjusted EBITDA from its core business

Blade Air Mobility’s stock erupted 27.1% in a single trading day following a landmark $125M acquisition of its passenger division by Joby Aviation. The deal, which includes Blade’s U.S. and European terminals and lounges, positions Joby to fast-track its commercial eVTOL rollout, while Strata—Blade’s medical logistics arm—emerges as a standalone public entity. With a 2025 breakout in medical air transport and a strategic pivot to electric aviation, investors are now parsing whether this is a catalyst-driven rally or a structural inflection point.

Joby's $125M Acquisition of Blade's Passenger Division Ignites Investor Optimism
The 27.1% intraday surge in BLDE stems directly from Joby Aviation’s acquisition of Blade’s passenger business, which grants Joby immediate access to urban infrastructure, a loyal customer base, and operational expertise. The deal allows Joby to bypass costly infrastructure development while leveraging Blade’s decade of experience in premium urban air mobility. Additionally, Strata’s rebranding as a medical logistics pure-play, retaining 84% of Blade’s 2024 adjusted EBITDA, has drawn attention to its high-margin, mission-critical organ transport services. The transaction’s $35M earnout structure and performance milestones further signal potential upside for BLDE, as Strata’s post-merger leadership and retention of key employees remain critical to unlocking value.

Aerospace & Defense Sector Rally as Joby and Archer Lead the Charge
The Aerospace & Defense sector saw a broad rally, with Archer Aviation (ACHR) rising 6.02% on eVTOL sector optimism. However, BLDE’s 27.1% jump far outperformed peers, driven by the strategic acquisition rather than sector-wide trends. Joby’s 5.94% gain and Archer’s rally reflect broader enthusiasm for urban air mobility, but BLDE’s surge is uniquely tied to its infrastructure handover and Strata’s medical logistics focus. The sector’s recent momentum, fueled by defense procurement and AI-driven tech, contrasts with BLDE’s narrative, which now hinges on execution risks in eVTOL commercialization and Strata’s growth in uncorrelated medical markets.

Strategic Options Play: Leveraged Calls on Blade's Post-Acquisition Momentum
• MACD: 0.0047 (bearish), Signal Line: 0.0894 (bearish), Histogram: -0.0847 (negative momentum)
• RSI: 41.36 (oversold), Bollinger Bands: $3.80–$4.65 (tight range), 200D MA: $3.64 (below price)
• 30D Support: $4.12–$4.14, 200D Support: $3.71–$3.76

BLDE’s technicals suggest a short-term rebound from oversold RSI levels, with key resistance at $4.65 (Bollinger Upper) and support at $4.12 (30D MA). The 27.1% surge has compressed volatility, but the options chain reveals aggressive positioning for further upside. Two contracts stand out:

• BLDE20250815C5: Call option with $5 strike, expiring August 15. Key stats: IV 105.11% (high volatility), Delta 0.46 (moderate sensitivity), Theta -0.022 (rapid time decay), Gamma 0.43 (price sensitivity). Turnover: 107,582. A 5% upside from $4.805 (to $5.04) would yield a payoff of $0.04 per contract. This option balances high leverage (16.60%) with liquidity, ideal for a short-term breakout.
• BLDE20250919C5: Call option with $5 strike, expiring September 19. Key stats: IV 83.90% (moderate), Delta 0.52 (strong sensitivity), Theta -0.008 (slower decay), Gamma 0.27 (moderate sensitivity). Turnover: 29,290. A 5% upside would yield $0.04 per contract. This contract offers extended time to capture momentum, with lower IV and higher liquidity compared to shorter-dated options.

Aggressive bulls should consider BLDE20250815C5 into a test of $4.65 (Bollinger Upper) or BLDE20250919C5 for a mid-term play on Strata’s medical logistics rebrand. Both options capitalize on the acquisition’s structural tailwinds and Joby’s Dubai commercialization timeline.

Backtest Blade Air Mobility Stock Performance
The backtest of BLDE's performance after a 27% intraday surge shows mixed results. While the stock experienced a positive surge, it struggled to maintain gains in the short term. The 3-day win rate was 48.59%, the 10-day win rate was 51.22%, and the 30-day win rate was 48.40%, indicating a higher probability of positive returns in the short term. However, the average returns over the 3, 10, and 30 days were -0.04%, 0.13%, and -0.53%, respectively, suggesting that although the stock had the potential for gains, it often underperformed in the aftermath of the surge.

Blade's Acquisition Drives Volatility: Position for a Breakout or Rebound?
BLDE’s 27.1% surge is a high-stakes inflection point, hinging on Joby’s ability to integrate Blade’s infrastructure and Strata’s execution in medical logistics. The $4.65 Bollinger Upper and $3.71 200D MA are critical levels to watch, with RSI at oversold 41.36 suggesting potential for a rebound. Investors should monitor Strata’s rebranding progress and Joby’s certification timeline for Dubai operations. Meanwhile, the sector’s leader, Archer Aviation (ACHR), rose 6.02%, underscoring broader eVTOL enthusiasm. For a breakout above $4.65, BLDE20250815C5 offers high leverage; for a mid-term play, BLDE20250919C5 balances time and volatility. Watch for $3.71 breakdown or a sustained rally above $4.65 to validate the new bull case.