Blade Air Mobility Rebrands as Strata Critical Medical: A Signal of Strategic Refocus in eVTOL Ecosystem

In the latest strategic pivot that blends corporate transformation with an underlying shift in the eVTOL-adjacent mobility sector, Blade Air Mobility, Inc. (Nasdaq: BLDE) officially changed its name to Strata Critical Medical, Inc. — effective August 28, 2025. Concurrently, the company’s Nasdaq common stock ticker transitioned to SRTA, with its public warrants trading as SRTAW, starting August 29, 2025

What’s Behind the Rebrand?

Blade Air Mobility made its mark as a technology-powered air mobility platform — offering helicopter and fixed-wing logistics for passengers and hospitals, including organ transport. However, in the wake of its sale of the passenger business to Joby Aviation, Inc., the company is doubling down on its core strength: medical and mission-critical logistics

This move completes Blade’s earlier announced divestiture: the sale of its Passenger division to Joby Aviation in a deal valued at up to $125 million. The transaction includes Blade’s U.S. and European passenger operations, lounges, terminals, and even the Blade brand itself.

With that chapter closed, Blade—rechristened Strata Critical Medical—will double down on its core strength: providing mission-critical air logistics and medical services, especially organ transport, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Trinity Medical Solutions.

Leadership & Legacy: Continuity Meets Evolution

• Rob Wiesenthal, Blade’s founder and CEO, will shift over to Joby Aviation as CEO of Blade Air Mobility and serve as Chairman of Strata’s board
• Will Heyburn (CFO) and Melissa Tomkiel (President & General Counsel) will steer Strata as Co‑CEOs, while keeping their current responsibilities
• Eric Affeldt, the current Chairman of Blade, will assume the role of Lead Independent Director at Strata 

“Blade’s mission since inception has been to accelerate the transition from traditional rotorcraft to electric aircraft. There is no stronger company than Joby to help make this mission a reality, for the benefit of all our stakeholders, including our fliers, employees, partners, and the cities we serve.”…. “Over the past eight years, our Company has successfully leveraged its logistics expertise to build one of the largest air transporters of human organs in the U.S. This transaction enables the Company to become laser focused on broadening our offerings across the medical logistics and solutions value chain with a singular strategy and significant deployable capital for acquisitions and organic expansion.” – Rob Wiesenthal, Blade’s founder and CEO

eVTOL Integration: A Smart Step into the Future

Strata isn’t simply abandoning eVTOL—it’s staying in the game. A long-term partnership with Joby Aviation grants Strata Critical Medical access to Joby’s electric vertical takeoff-and-landing aircraft for medical missions. These eVTOLs promise quieter, more cost-efficient operations compared to helicopters—an edge in sensitive, urban medical logistics.

Joby will be its preferred VTOL partner, opening strategic paths in mission-critical medical logistics and use cases beyond passenger mobility. Blade also has agreements with other eVTOL OEMs including Beta Technologies which manufactures the Alia eVTOL aircraft. Time-critical logistics (like organ transportation) offer durable, contractual demand that is largely macroeconomically insulated.

Financial Resilience: Structured, Streamlined, and Ready to Grow

This strategic pivot comes with solid financial underpinning:

The sale is expected to be Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow neutral, thanks in part to about $7 million in annual cost efficiencies. The medical division already generates the lion’s share of profitability—accounting for 84% of 2024 Segment Adjusted EBITDA and 59% of revenue.

Blade’s medical division was responsible for roughly two-thirds of Blade’s revenue in both Q1 2025 ($35.95 B out of $54.31 B = 66.19% of total revenue) and Q2 2025 ($45.1 B out of 70.8 B = 63.7% of revenue)

“This divestiture allows us to focus entirely on Medical, our fastest growing and most profitable business line, which represented approximately 84% and 59% of 2024 Segment Adjusted EBITDA and Revenue, respectively.” … “Following the close, Strata will be a pure-play, contractual medical business operating in rapidly growing markets that are not correlated with the overall macro environment. It’s an honor to help lead Strata as we expand our service offerings across medical and time critical logistics marketplaces.” – Will Heyburn (CFO of Blade Air Mobility and recently co-CEO of Strata Critical Medical)

Additional analysis underscores this: Strata boasts 100% customer retention, over $113 million in cash reserves, and a compelling runway in a growing market with projected 7–9% CAGR through 2030. eVTOL deployment could amplify margins and expand reach.

“Strata’s end-to-end, time critical air logistics platform is second to none and is trusted by more organ transplant hospitals than any other provider.”…“We will remain relentless in supporting our customers, all of whom are engaged in life-saving work every day. Our 100% contracted customer retention rate over the last twelve months is a testament to this unwavering commitment to the healthcare providers we serve. I’m excited to help guide Strata as we enter this new phase of growth.”  –  Melissa Tomkiel (President & General Counsel of Blade Air Mobility, and recently co-CEO of Strata Critical Medical)   

Why This Matters for the eVTOL & Med‑Logistics Sector

• Asset-Light with High Impact: Strata retains exposure to eVTOL tech without the burden of manufacturing—leveraging infrastructure and logistics excellence.
• Defensive, Contracted Revenue Model: Hospital demand for organ transport is relentless—and less vulnerable to economic cycles.
• Growth with Tailwinds: Aging populations and increasing needs for efficient medical transport place Strata in a well-positioned niche.
• Capital Ready: With strong cash reserves and neutral operating financials post-divestiture, Strata is poised for strategic growth—both organic and via acquisitions

Conclusion

Blade’s transformation into Strata Critical Medical marks more than a rebrand—it signifies a strategic reinvention: shedding the consumer-heavy passenger business and embracing a high-margin, mission-aligned future in medical logistics. With eVTOL access, financial stability, and precise leadership in place, Strata stands primed to lead the next chapter in urban med‑evac evolution.

More Info:

Blade Air Mobility’s Official Press Release: click here

Strata Critical Medical (official website): click here

Trinity Medical Solutions (official website): click here

Joby will acquire Blade’s urban passenger business: click here