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CNBC • David Reid

Blade expands civilian helicopter ride-hailing to India, launching Mumbai–Pune and Shirdi routes

Fly Blade (Blade) says it will launch on-demand helicopter bookings in Mumbai in early next year, connecting Mumbai with heliports at Pune and Shirdi. The digitally powered civilian flight arranger—positioning itself as an “urban air mobility” play—also named Amar Abrol to lead India operations as CEO.

2026-04-29T09:05:15.328367-07:00

Vertical Mag

Blade to go public via SPAC, valuing the helicopter taxi operator at ~$825M (~$1B target)

2026-04-29T09:04:38.231055-07:00

Vertical Mag

Sheltair Aviation and Blade partner to expand aero-comuter access ahead of eVTOL transition

2026-04-29T09:06:34.258837-07:00

Vertical Mag

Blade Urban Air Mobility adds by-the-seat helicopter routes and a downtown L.A. rooftop heliport lounge

2026-04-29T09:06:34.095730-07:00

Hype Analysis

September 2024 eVTOL Industry Developments: A Comprehensive Report

October 1, 2024 - A summary of major events, strategic partnerships and technological advancements in the eVTOL market. Read More.

News Timeline

Vertical Mag

Sheltair Aviation and Blade partner to expand aero-comuter access ahead of eVTOL transition Sheltair Aviation and Blade announced a partnership designed to broaden existing air-mobility access while laying groundwork for the industry’s shift to electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The agreement links near-term commuter operations with longer-term eVTOL readiness planning.

2026-04-29T09:06:34.258837-07:00

Sheltair Aviation and Blade partner to expand aero-comuter access ahead of eVTOL transition

Vertical Mag

Blade Urban Air Mobility adds by-the-seat helicopter routes and a downtown L.A. rooftop heliport lounge Blade Urban Air Mobility is expanding in the Los Angeles area with by-the-seat helicopter transfers, priced from $195/seat, and launching a new downtown Los Angeles rooftop heliport lounge. The move grows the operator’s point-to-point rotorcraft service offering within the city.

2026-04-29T09:06:34.095730-07:00

Blade Urban Air Mobility adds by-the-seat helicopter routes and a downtown L.A. rooftop heliport lounge

Vertical Mag

Airbus Helicopters and Blade partner to advance eVTOL-enabled urban air transport At Heli-Expo, Airbus Helicopters and Blade, Inc. announced a partnership aimed at laying the groundwork for eVTOL solutions that could expand the market for urban air transportation. The collaboration signals how established rotorcraft players are positioning for next-generation vertical lift demand alongside commercial operators.

2026-04-29T09:06:32.968145-07:00

Airbus Helicopters and Blade partner to advance eVTOL-enabled urban air transport

CNBC

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Blade expands civilian helicopter ride-hailing to India, launching Mumbai–Pune and Shirdi routes Fly Blade (Blade) says it will launch on-demand helicopter bookings in Mumbai in early next year, connecting Mumbai with heliports at Pune and Shirdi. The digitally powered civilian flight arranger—positioning itself as an “urban air mobility” play—also named Amar Abrol to lead India operations as CEO.

2026-04-29T09:05:15.328367-07:00

Blade expands civilian helicopter ride-hailing to India, launching Mumbai–Pune and Shirdi routes

Vertical Mag

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Blade to go public via SPAC, valuing the helicopter taxi operator at ~$825M (~$1B target) Blade, the Uber-like on-demand helicopter operator serving short-distance routes including the Hamptons, announced plans to go public through a merger with a blank-check company. DealBook estimates the transaction values Blade at about $825 million—well above its 2018 valuation of $140 million—with the company signaling an eye toward future eVTOL operations.

2026-04-29T09:04:38.231055-07:00

Blade to go public via SPAC, valuing the helicopter taxi operator at ~$825M (~$1B target)

eVTOL Insights

Reuben Brothers and Joby Aviation to build electric eVTOL vertiport at Century Plaza in Los Angeles Reuben Brothers has announced an alliance with Joby Aviation to establish an electric air-taxi vertiport at Park Elm Residences in Century Plaza’s South Tower in Los Angeles. The announcement adds another site model to the rollout of property-linked vertiport infrastructure for eVTOL operations.

2026-04-29T06:28:59.698806-07:00

Reuben Brothers and Joby Aviation to build electric eVTOL vertiport at Century Plaza in Los Angeles

eVTOL Insights

H55 delivers first certifiable Adagio battery modules for Smartflyer SFX1 electric aircraft Smartflyer says H55 has delivered the first batch of Adagio battery modules that are “certifiable” for Smartflyer’s SFX1 electric aircraft, marking a key milestone in the powertrain development program. The shipment advances component readiness as Smartflyer moves deeper into aircraft-level integration.

2026-04-29T05:20:47.979361-07:00

H55 delivers first certifiable Adagio battery modules for Smartflyer SFX1 electric aircraft

Bloomberg

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Joby launches NYC eVTOL demo week with first point-to-point flights from JFK to Manhattan heliports Joby Aviation began a week-long public demonstration of its all-electric eVTOL air taxis, flying from John F. Kennedy International (JFK) to multiple Manhattan-area heliports including Downtown Skyport and the West 30th Street and East 34th Street sites. The campaign follows completion of the first-ever point-to-point eVTOL air taxi demo flights in New York City’s history.

2026-04-27T06:22:26.795456-07:00

Joby launches NYC eVTOL demo week with first point-to-point flights from JFK to Manhattan heliports

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eVTOL News

Blade expands civilian helicopter ride-hailing to India, launching Mumbai–Pune and Shirdi routes

Blade to go public via SPAC, valuing the helicopter taxi operator at ~$825M (~$1B target)

Sheltair Aviation and Blade partner to expand aero-comuter access ahead of eVTOL transition

Blade Urban Air Mobility adds by-the-seat helicopter routes and a downtown L.A. rooftop heliport lounge

Hype Analysis

September 2024 eVTOL Industry Developments: A Comprehensive Report

News Timeline