Joby Aviation Soars on Blade Deal to Fast-Track Air Taxi Rollout

Joby Aviation (JOBY) is acquiring Blade Air Mobility's (BLDE) helicopter ride-share business for up to $125 million, speeding up its launch of electric air taxis. JOBY stock surged 22% on Monday after the deal was announced. The acquisition will give Joby access to top locations such as Newark and Manhattan heliports to support its air taxi launch. Joby plans to begin commercial passenger service in Dubai in 2026 and is scaling up production to meet future demand.

Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE: JOBY) has announced its intention to acquire Blade Air Mobility, Inc. (NASDAQ: BLDE) for up to $125 million, marking a significant step in the company's push to commercialize electric air taxis. The acquisition, announced on July 2, 2025, follows a strong performance by JOBY stock, which surged by 22% to $20.86 on Monday after the news broke [2].

The deal will provide Joby with immediate access to Blade's premium urban terminal network, established passenger infrastructure, and a loyal customer base, particularly in New York and Southern Europe. Blade operated a network of 12 urban terminals in key markets, including dedicated lounge and terminal bases at John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty Airport, as well as the West Side and East Side of Manhattan [1].

By integrating Blade's helicopter passengers into its next-generation eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft, Joby expects to accelerate its commercial rollout, lower infrastructure costs, and boost customer adoption. The acquisition also designates Joby as the preferred VTOL partner for Blade's organ transport business, which will become an independent company named Strata Critical Medical [1].

Joby plans to begin commercial passenger service in Dubai in 2026 and is scaling up production to meet future demand. The acquisition will support the successful launch of Joby's commercial operations in Dubai and its subsequent global rollout, positioning Joby as a clear leader in next-generation, sustainable urban aviation [1].

References:
[1] https://www.jobyaviation.com/news/joby-to-acquire-blade-passenger-business/
[2] https://sherepricetarget.com/joby-aviation-nyse-joby-shares-soars-21-after-125-million-blade-air-mobility-acquisition-bid-spurs-air-taxi-optimism/