Joby Aviation said Monday it will acquire Blade Air Mobility’s passenger business for as much as $125 million, a move designed to speed the rollout of its electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for commercial service. Blade’s medical organ-transport division is excluded from the transaction and will be rebranded as Strata Critical Medical, though it will partner with Joby on future medical-transport operations.

Joby CEO JoeBen Bevirt told Reuters the deal brings “a launchpad, a catalyst to really grow the experience” by adding Blade’s existing customer base, takeoff and landing locations and a decade of operational know-how. He confirmed the company remains on track to begin FAA Type Inspection flight testing of its eVTOL early next year—a key step toward securing certification an

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