April 18, 2024
Blade Air Mobility, Inc. (NASDAQ: BLDE) and Eve Urban Air Mobility Solutions, Inc., a subsidiary of Embraer S.A. (“Embraer,” NYSE: ERJ), announced an arrangement for Eve to provide Blade up to 60,000 hours of flight time per year on its eVTOLs beginning in 2026 for use in Southern Florida and West Coast markets.
“Blade is aligned with our mission as they have created a platform that provides the user seamless access to Urban Air Mobility, and now with Eve to provide an experience that is quiet and without emissions. The company’s platform will be instrumental in deploying our aircraft in key markets in South Florida and the West Coast of the United States. This partnership with Blade is the next step in unlocking the future of mobility in these key areas and marks an exciting time for both companies,” said Andre Stein, President & CEO of Eve.
Eve plans to deploy with local partners, up to 60 aircraft for Blade throughout the United States, beginning in 2026. Blade will pay for flight time utilized on Eve’s aircraft. The eVTOLs will be made available by Eve and other third parties. The deployment of Eve aircraft across the Blade network is subject to the parties entering into definitive final agreements, according to a press release.
“Blade is pleased to partner with Eve, leveraging Embraer’s deep aerospace expertise to provide Blade with quiet, zero-carbon, electric aircraft,” said Rob Wiesenthal, CEO of Blade.
He adds, “Eve’s aircraft provides ideal operating economics for Blade’s shorter distance routes, adding to our three other recently announced EVA partnerships which, together, can optimize service for Blade’s wide variety of mission profiles and regional hubs.”
In addition to helicopters, Blade offers by-the-seat private jet flights seasonally from New York to Miami and Aspen. Wiesenthal tells Private Jet Card Comparisons today’s announcement isn’t related to its April deal with Jet Linx Aviation.
Earlier this month, Flexjet and Sentient Jet parent OneSky Flight ordered 200 eVTOLs from Eve. A SPAC controlled by OneSky and Directional Aviation chairman has been in talks with Eve over a possible merger.
