Story ID: 546
Airbus Aligns with Blade
By: Mark Huber
Caption: The alliance is seen as complementing Airbus’s existing Voom service
Word Count: 365
Airbus Helicopters and Fly Blade have formed a strategic partnership to develop new on-demand helicopter services. Launched in 2014, Blade already serves 22 core routes in seven states and claims to facilitate more civilian transport by helicopter than any other company in the U.S. The company's services include a multi-state lounge network and booking and operator technology platforms.

This alliance is seen as complementing Airbus’ existing Voom service in Brazil and is expected to bring more business to participating helicopter operators as their aircraft are flown more frequently.

“Airbus continues to develop the future of the urban air mobility [UAM] market, and this partnership is the next logical step in our quest to offer customers the full spectrum of urban air travel solutions,” said Matthieu Louvot, executive vice president of customer support and services for Airbus Helicopters. “We are constantly seeking new opportunities to add another dimension to urban transport networks. By partnering with Blade, we are setting a strong foundation for the next step, which will be the successful deployment of electric vertical takeoff and landing [eVTOL] systems.”

Louvot said the partnership with Blade will complement Airbus’ global UAM business strategy, which is already in development through Voom, the fast-expanding helicopter taxi service that has flown thousands of passengers since it launched commercial operations in April 2017 in Sao Paulo, and Airbus Ride, an event-based helicopter shuttle service in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

“Airbus is the right partner for Blade to help accelerate our expansion into additional U.S. cities and to fortify our international development plans,” said Blade CEO Rob Wiesenthal. “We look forward to helping Airbus enhance its business-to-consumer relationships. Together, we will grow on-demand helicopter aviation by broadening consumer accessibility today, and facilitating the transition to eVTOL tomorrow.”  

Louvot added that these new UAM services are a major pillar of Airbus’ vision for future eVTOL systems. The company is also working on both air traffic integration such as Altiscope and a wide variety of passenger and delivery vehicles, including the four passenger, self-piloted CityAirbus eVTOL demonstrator; the single-passenger, self-piloted Vahana eVTOL aircraft by Airbus A3; and the Racer high-speed compound helicopter.