US urban air mobility operator Blade has placed an order for up to 30 electric vertical aircraft (eVTOL) with Californian urban air mobility developer Wisk. The order will supplement New York-based Blade’s existing fleet of helicopters and hovercraft. 

Backed by Boeing and Kitty Hawk Corporation, Wisk developed the first all-electric, autonomous eVTOL aircraft in the US. The company has recorded approximately 1,500 test flights over the last ten years.

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 those routes. 

Blade and Wisk will form a working group to support deployment of technologies necessary for aircraft charging and next-generation air traffic management. The working group will leverage Blade’s six years of experience with UAM services in the most congested markets to inform future Wisk design principles. Wisk currently operates autonomous eVTOL aircraft with experimental type certificates and plans to begin initial test flights in Blade’s key service areas when possible.

“We look forward to working with Wisk to help accelerate Blade’s transition from conventional rotorcraft to safe, quiet, emission-free Electric Vertical Aircraft,” said Rob Wiesenthal, CEO of Blade.

“This arrangement validates that UAM is the future of mobility,” said Gary Gysin, CEO of Wisk. “To date, we have been focused on developing an aircraft and customer experience that is efficient, accessible, and – most importantly – safe. The combination of our expertise as an autonomous eVTOL aircraft manufacturer and operator, with the operational expertise of Blade, will help usher in an even greater level of safety and service.”

“The Wisk-Blade arrangement is a perfect fit for our asset light model,” said Will Heyburn, CFO and Head of Corporate Development for Blade. “Backed by Boeing’s deep aerospace experience, Wisk will own, operate and maintain their aircraft as part of our network, allowing Blade to focus on delivering a great experience to our fliers.”