As Dubai readies for eVTOL flights
Joby Aviation has signed a deal to acquire Blade Air Mobility’s passenger services arm in a move that positions the electric aircraft developer to accelerate commercial air taxi operations, including its first launch in Dubai in 2026.
The agreement, announced on August 4, 2025, is valued at up to $125 million. It gives Joby control over Blade’s urban air mobility network, including 12 key terminals in New York City and Europe.
A helicopter ride-sharing provider, Blade flew more than 50,000 passengers in 2024 and operates from prominent locations such as JFK Airport, Newark Liberty Airport, and various Manhattan heliports.
The deal excludes Blade’s medical transport business, which will be spun off as a separate public company named Strata Critical Medical. However, Joby will serve as its preferred partner for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft where available. The two companies plan to work together in organ and critical care transportation, an emerging use case for next-generation aircraft.
Joby said the acquisition will help reduce the need for new infrastructure investments and lower customer acquisition costs by tapping into Blade’s existing routes and customer base. It also allows Joby to shift Blade’s operations from traditional helicopters to its eVTOL aircraft once regulatory approvals are secured.
Joby, based in California, has been conducting demonstration flights in both the United States and the United Arab Emirates.
The company is expected to begin commercial services in Dubai in 2026, where the emirate’s Roads and Transport Authority has endorsed the introduction of air taxis. The UAE aims to become one of the first countries to integrate eVTOL aircraft into its urban transport systems.
Electric aircraft are being promoted globally as a cleaner and more efficient alternative to helicopters and short-haul flights. According to the International Energy Agency, the aviation sector is responsible for 2.5% of global COâ‚‚ emissions. Urban air mobility is seen as a key way to cut emissions while improving mobility in congested cities.
Blade’s passenger business will continue operating as usual under Joby ownership, retaining its name and management team. Founder and CEO Rob Wiesenthal will remain in his role and report to Joby. The company said this continuity will be necessary during the transition from helicopters to electric aircraft.
The acquisition also includes the integration of Joby’s proprietary ElevateOS operating system into Blade’s services. The software, which supports real-time flight scheduling and operations, is expected to improve efficiency and help scale up future air taxi services in cities such as New York, Paris, and Dubai.
Under the terms of the agreement, Joby will pay Blade in stock or cash, at its discretion, with $35 million of the total tied to performance milestones and staff retention targets. The deal is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to finalise in the coming weeks.
The move comes as global interest in eVTOL technology intensifies. According to a recent market forecast by Deloitte, the international advanced air mobility market is expected to reach $115 billion by 2035, with the Middle East identified as a key growth region. Dubai, in particular, has emerged as a testing ground for new air mobility systems, thanks to favourable regulation and substantial public investment in transport innovation.
Joby is one of several US-based companies racing to bring electric air taxis to market. It is currently in the certification process with the Federal Aviation Administration in the United States and pursuing approvals in other jurisdictions, including the UAE. Successful certification would clear the way for full-scale commercial operations in selected cities.
With urban populations growing and traffic congestion worsening, eVTOL technology is increasingly viewed as a realistic solution for short-haul travel in megacities. Joby’s acquisition of Blade signals that the commercial phase of electric air mobility is fast approaching—and that Dubai could be among the first cities to experience it.
Image: Joby, based in California, has been conducting demonstration flights in both the United States and the United Arab Emirates. Credit: Joby Aviation
