Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

The $125 million sale of Blade Air Mobility’s passenger operations to eVTOL aircraft manufacturer Joby, announced on Monday, will release capital needed to drive growth in its medical flight services unit, the group’s leadership team said on Tuesday while announcing second-quarter financial results that showed further progress in cutting net losses. To be rebranded Strata Critical Medical,&nbsp;the medical division&nbsp;plans to increase its current fleet of 10 helicopters with “low single-digit orders” over the next year or two, according to its CFO, Will Heyburn.
Blade CEO Rob Wiesenthal, who will run this part of Joby’s business when the transaction is complete, told analysts that the divestiture delivers the best long-term value for all stakeholders, including investors, customers, and employees. “It will unlock the potential of both businesses,” he said, acknowledging that investors have devalued Blade’s passenger operations, blocking investment in the growing medical operations to protect earnings.
Since 2020, revenues from medical operations have increased from 12% of the group’s total to more than 60% last year. These flights, many of which are carrying human organs for transplant procedures, drove a 4.2% rise in revenues for the second quarter, which grew to $70.8 million.
Profits from flights increased by 8.5% to $17.7 million. However, Heyburn said that operating costs had remained high in the period through June 30 due to the need to charter aircraft from other operators while Blade’s own helicopters were out of action because of major inspections and overhauls. Blade’s projected revenue for 2025 remains in the range of $245 million to $265 million, pending the close of Joby’s acquisition.
Heyburn reported that revenues from short-distance passenger flights had dipped during the second quarter, in part due to inclement weather and also due to fallout from a <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/general-aviation/2025-04-15/rotor-transmission-recovered-hudson-river-crash">fatal accident</a> on April 10 in which a Bell 206L4 Long Ranger helicopter crashed into the Hudson River. Heyburn said that the profitability of these operations has improved due to measures such as the restructuring of Blade’s European charter operations last fall and its exit from the Canadian market.
<h2>Organ Transplant Advances Boost Demand</h2>
According to Blade president Melissa Tomkiel, the Strata business has significant growth potential driven by technological progress that is increasing the potential for organ transplants and therefore the need for flights between hospitals. She confirmed that the business could add Joby’s eVTOL vehicles to its fleet, saying that these will deliver a competitive advantage due to “their lower noise profile and potential to operate at lower costs than traditional aircraft.”
Heyburn, who with Tomkiel will be co-CEO of Strata, said the rebranded division will pursue a growth strategy backed by $200 million in capital. Much of this will come from the $125 million in cash and stock that <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2025-08-04/joby-buys-blade-passenger-operation-evtol-air-taxi">Joby is paying</a> to acquire Blade’s passenger operations, albeit with $35 million held back subject to certain performance milestones and retention of key employees, most notably Wiesenthal.
According to Wiesenthal, Blade’s leadership opted to sell its passenger operations to Joby after determining that it had the best path to certifying eVTOL aircraft and bringing them to market. Blade has previously had partnerships and provisional sales agreements with Eve Air Mobility and Beta Technologies.

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