Jet Linx to Enter VTOL Market Following Agreement with Blade

Private aircraft operator Jet Linx has officially announced intentions to enter the eVTOL market following an agreement with Blade Urban Air Mobility. Through Blade, Jet Linx, along with other operators, will gain ownership of up to 20 total Beta Technologies Alia aircraft, which Blade recently made a reservation for.

According to a recent press release, “Blade has entered into an arrangement with Jet Linx, a leading U.S. aircraft operator supported by equity capital from RedBird Capital Partners relating to the purchase of EVAs from Beta. The arrangement enables Jet Linx to own and operate EVA (Electric Vertical Aircraft) for Blade flights, subject to entering into definitive agreements.”

Blade recently ordered up to 20 eVTOL ‘Alia’ aircraft from Beta Technologies for use in services. Photograph: Beta Technologies

Currently, Jet Linx offers aircraft management services and sells jet cards from 19 bases in the United States, and recently expanded into top private jet airports including Boston Hanscomb Field, Chicago Executive, Denver Centennial, Washington Dulles, and New York Teterboro. 

Blade will facilitate EVA purchases by Jet Linx and other Blade operators through minimum flight hour guarantees. The agreement includes a commitment for Blade operators or third-party financing sources who will enter into leasing arrangements with operators to purchase Beta’s first passenger-configured EVAs, scheduled for delivery beginning in late 2024.

These initial Beta EVAs will be deployed on routes between Jet Linx’ network of dedicated terminals in the northeast, where Beta has agreed to provide and install charging infrastructure at key locations.

Photograph: Beta Technologies

“Blade is laser-focused on its transition from conventional rotorcraft to Electric Vertical Aircraft. The ALIA’s extremely low sound footprint, coupled with its zero emissions design, will enable us to reduce the noise and environmental impact to the communities surrounding the existing heliport and airport infrastructure we currently use,” said Blade CEO Rob Wiesenthal, “ALIA is a full-scale EVA flying in piloted configuration almost every day. The team’s progress is formidable. Beta’s scheduled delivery beginning in 2024 is ahead of our current projected deployment of EVA in 2025. The transaction, consistent with our asset-light business model, allows us to leverage our significant flight volumes and third-party financing relationships to enable the purchase of BETA aircraft by our operator partners.”

Photograph: Beta Technologies

Why it’s important: Blade recently announced it would become a public company through a SPAC merger with Experience Investment Corp. (NASDAQ: EXPC), where Blade and Beta’s agreement relating to ALIA EVAs’ purchase is conditioned on the completion of the merger. With these agreements with Jet Linx and other aircraft operators and eVTOL developers in place, Blade is in a strong position to facilitate future aerial mobility travel services in the United States. 

Source // Private Jet Card Comparisons