Blade Air Mobility Stock Price, News & Analysis
Company Description
Blade Air Mobility, Inc. (NASDAQ: BLDE), which has changed its corporate name to Strata Critical Medical, Inc. as disclosed in SEC filings, has historically operated as a technology-powered air mobility platform. Under the BLDE ticker, the company combined aviation logistics with software and terminal infrastructure to provide air transportation and logistics services for both medical and passenger use.
According to multiple company press releases, Blade Air Mobility has provided air transportation and logistics for hospitals across the United States, where it is described as one of the largest transporters of human organs for transplant. In addition, it has provided passenger services using helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft, with routes and services focused primarily on the Northeast United States, Southern Europe and, at times, Western Canada. The company has been based in New York City and has emphasized an asset-light model, relying on third-party aircraft operators while focusing on logistics, technology, and customer interface.
Blade’s business model, as described in its news releases, has centered on coordinating and arranging flights operated by other entities, managing passenger terminal and lounge infrastructure in key urban markets, and providing time-sensitive medical logistics. Its proprietary technologies and exclusive passenger terminal infrastructure have been positioned to support a transition from traditional helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft to Electric Vertical Aircraft (EVA or eVTOL), with the stated goal of enabling quieter and emission-free air mobility.
Transition from Blade Air Mobility to Strata Critical Medical
Based on an August 29, 2025 Form 8-K, Blade Air Mobility, Inc. changed its name to Strata Critical Medical, Inc. and its Nasdaq trading symbol changed from BLDE to SRTA. The same filing explains that the company completed the previously announced sale of its Passenger business to a subsidiary of Joby Aviation, Inc. The transaction included Blade’s passenger operations and related assets, while the remaining public company continues under the Strata Critical Medical name.
In related press releases, the company has indicated that following the closing of the passenger divestiture, the remaining business would focus on mission critical logistics and medical services to hospitals and healthcare providers throughout the country. The medical division, which includes the Trinity Medical Solutions business, has been described as one of the largest air transporters of human organs for transplant in the United States. The company has also highlighted a long-term commercial relationship under which Joby’s aircraft may be used for medical transport services, reflecting an ongoing connection between advanced air mobility technology and Strata’s medical logistics operations.
Business Focus Under the BLDE Ticker
While trading as BLDE, Blade Air Mobility’s activities, as described in its public communications, included:
- Medical air logistics: Providing transportation and logistics for hospitals across the United States, with a focus on the movement of human organs for transplant and related time-critical medical services.
- Passenger air mobility: Offering, selling, promoting, marketing, planning, booking, brokering, coordinating and arranging transportation of passengers on aircraft operated by third parties, including helicopter and fixed-wing services in key urban and regional corridors.
- Terminal and lounge infrastructure: Operating exclusive passenger terminal and lounge infrastructure in major urban markets to support its passenger air mobility services.
- Technology platform: Using proprietary technologies to manage bookings, logistics, and operations, and to prepare for integration of Electric Vertical Aircraft (EVA/eVTOL) into its model.
The company has repeatedly described its approach as asset-light, reflecting its reliance on third-party aircraft operators rather than owning and operating the aircraft fleet itself. Its communications also emphasize the role of EVA/eVTOL technology in enabling quieter and emission-free air mobility, and the company has participated in demonstration flights with electric aircraft manufacturers to advance this objective.
Corporate Actions and Strategic Transactions
SEC filings and press releases indicate several notable corporate developments associated with the BLDE ticker:
- Sale of Passenger Business: An Equity Purchase Agreement dated August 1, 2025, and subsequent Form 8-K filings describe the agreement for a subsidiary of Joby Aviation to acquire Blade’s passenger business. A Form 8-K dated August 29, 2025 reports completion of this sale and notes that the consideration was paid in Joby Aviation common stock, with potential additional contingent consideration based on specified performance and retention metrics.
- Name and Ticker Change: The August 29, 2025 Form 8-K explains that the company amended its certificate of incorporation to change its name from Blade Air Mobility, Inc. to Strata Critical Medical, Inc. and that its Nasdaq trading symbol changed to SRTA at the market open on August 29, 2025.
- Post-transaction focus: Company press releases describe the post-transaction entity (Strata Critical Medical) as a pure-play contractual healthcare and medical logistics business, with an emphasis on mission critical logistics and medical services for hospitals and healthcare providers, and with a long-term commercial agreement giving Joby a role in providing certain medical transport services.
Industry Classification
For industry classification purposes, BLDE has been associated with All Other Business Support Services within the broader Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services sector. Its actual operating activities, as described in its public disclosures, have centered on aviation logistics, medical transport, and passenger air mobility, supported by a technology-enabled platform and dedicated terminal infrastructure.
BLDE as a Historical Ticker
Because the company’s legal name and trading symbol have changed, BLDE serves as a historical ticker for investors researching the period when the company operated as Blade Air Mobility, Inc. and combined both passenger and medical air mobility businesses. Current information about the renamed entity and its ongoing operations is associated with the Strata Critical Medical, Inc. (SRTA) listing, as indicated in the company’s SEC filings.