A seven-minute helicopter flight between Nice and Monte Carlo for $220 per seat was launched in advance of the Monaco Grand Prix.

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Bringing helicopter passenger services to Europe is Blade Air Mobility's mission. A $100 million deal has been reached between Blade and its subsidiaries in the Continent to acquire passenger helicopter operations in the south of France from Monacair SAM, Héli Sécurité, and another as-yet-unidentified company. This summer is expected to be the closing date for the transaction. 

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A total of 125,000 passengers were carried by these carriers in 2019 and $32.2 million was derived from their operations. Through April 2022, their revenues exceeded those of the same period in 2019 by 30 percent. 

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The agreement stipulates that Blade will acquire the carriers' commercial activities as the exclusive customer. In addition to continuing to own and operate their fleets, the carriers will work closely with Blade on the transition to electric vehicles within the southern French, Monaco, Swiss, and Italian regions. These carriers use ten airports and vertiports in France, Monaco, and Switzerland Blade will develop branded passenger terminals for them. 

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On May 29, Blade began service between Nice, France, and Monte Carlo, Monaco, with seven-minute flights for $220 per seat available through the Blade app.

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Our asset-light strategy enables us to aggregate the premier use cases for urban air mobility through these three acquisitions. Due to this, Blade has acquired dozens of routes we consider to be among the best in the world. This entry into the European market is a crucial step in the expansion of our operations, which already include activities in New York, Vancouver, and India," said Blade CEO Rob Wiesenthal.