Blade to Bring Urban Air Mobility to Newport, Jersey City

Agreement Will Bring Seamless Air Mobility Transport
Between New Jersey, New York City Area Airports, and Manhattan

• Blade will operate and revitalize the Newport Helistop, offering additional amenities and demonstrating the working relationships required to grow urban air mobility infrastructure and connectivity in the New York metro area.
• Blade will begin a pilot program for charter service and develop plans for by-the-seat service between the Newport Helistop, local New York area commercial airports, and select Manhattan locations, providing convenient travel options for a growing community.

NEW YORK, May 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blade Air Mobility, Inc. (Nasdaq: BLDE, “Blade” or the “Company”), a technology-powered global air mobility platform, today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Newport Helipad LLC (“Newport”) to operate and revitalize the Newport Helistop (91NJ) ( “Helistop”), located in Newport, Jersey City, New Jersey, one of the largest and most successful mixed-use communities on the Hudson River waterfront, subject to the execution of definitive documentation. As part of the agreement, Blade will manage and operate the Helistop on behalf of Newport for both Blade flights and third-party operations. The Helistop is located on the Hudson River waterfront, approximately 3,800 feet from Manhattan.

“All large communities will need an urban air mobility strategy to bolster their attractiveness to corporations and residents alike in an increasingly competitive market,” said Nate Alexander, Blade's Senior Director, Rotorcraft Operations. “We are pleased that Newport had the foresight to relight this Helistop and partner with Blade to ensure safe and reliable vertical transportation for all tenants and residents in the community.”

This arrangement will create an additional amenity for the businesses and residents of Newport and beyond, as well as Blade’s client base. It will demonstrate the proper processes and working relationships required to safely grow urban air mobility in the greater New York City metropolitan area using conventional aircraft today, while preparing for the deployment of Electric Vertical Aircraft (“EVA”) in the near future.

Under the agreement, Blade will begin a pilot program for charter flights and explore the viability of the first ever scheduled, by-the-seat service between the Helistop and local New York City area airports and heliports, providing a convenient travel option for commuters, particularly for Newport tenants and employees of major banks and corporations that maintain large office presences around the Helistop. A flight from the Helistop to JFK Airport will take approximately 5 minutes versus up to 2 ½ hours by car.