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Will all-electric charter flights become a reality within five years?
April 2021
Blade Urban Air Mobility recently reached an agreement to add up to 20 of Beta Technologies’ $4 million Alia 250 eVTOL aircraft to its passenger transportation network, with deliveries due to start in 2024, followed by operations in 2025. According to Blade, the aircraft will be acquired through its “third-party financing relationships” with its operating partners, and Jet Linx Aviation is set to be the first to start employing an initial batch of five aircraft.
On a full charge, the Alia will be able to operate on routes of up to 250 nautical miles (288 miles), carrying six people (including a pilot) or three standard cargo pallets at speeds of up to 170 mph. Beta says it will take 50 minutes to recharge the aircraft, which is to be certified under the FAA’s Part 23 rules.
12-May-2021 Source: BLADE Urban Air Mobility
BLADE Urban Air Mobility, Inc., a technology-powered air mobility company, announced the completion of its business combination with Experience Investment Corp. (NASDAQ: EXPC, “EIC”), a NASDAQ listed special purpose acquisition company sponsored by KSL Capital Partners. The combined holding company will change its legal name to Blade Air Mobility, Inc. (the “Blade HoldCo”) and Blade Urban Air Mobility, Inc. (“Blade” or the “Company”) will be its wholly owned, operating subsidiary. The Blade HoldCo’s common stock and warrants are expected to commence trading on May 10, 2021 on the NASDAQ under the new ticker symbols “BLDE” and “BLDEW,” respectively.
ALIA aircraft. Photo Credit: Beta Technologies
On April 13 Beta Technologies (South Burlington, Vt., U.S.) and Blade Urban Air Mobility (Blade, New York, N.Y., U.S.) announced a binding agreement through which Blade will secure up to 20 Beta electric vertical aircraft (EVA), becoming BETA’s first passenger service customer. This news comes on the heels of UPS’ announcement that it would buy up to 150 Beta EVA aircraft, plus charging stations, as part of that company’s long-term solution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Founded in 2017, Beta and its team of aerospace engineers are building an electric powered ecosystem for aviation, the heart of which is
5 May 2021
Wisk, a joint venture between Boeing and Kitty Hawk, to own, operate and maintain up to 30 Electric Vertical Aircraft to be deployed on Blade’s U.S. network
Blade and Wisk to form a working group to engage with regulators and municipalities and pursue charging infrastructure and next generation air traffic control systems
May 5, 2021 NEW YORK, NY AND MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA Blade Urban Air Mobility, Inc. and Wisk Aero LLC today announced an arrangement for Wisk to provide Blade with up to 30 Electric Vertical Aircraft (“EVA” or “eVTOL”).
Wisk is an Urban Air Mobility (“UAM”) company dedicated to delivering safe, everyday flight for everyone and is the company behind the first all-electric, autonomous eVTOL aircraft in the U.S. Following FAA certification, Blade and Wisk intend to deploy the aircraft on short-distance routes between Blade’s network of dedicated terminals throughout the U.S., with Wisk aircraft being chartered by Blade at an hourly rate on t