The US-based aviation start-up BLADE is all set to launch Urban Air Mobility operation in India by March 2019. Dubbed as BLADE India, the company mimics the concept of Uber in the aviation sector by allowing the users to create its crowdsourced flights or purchase seats on pre-existing flights of short distance.
BLADE is a company co-founded by the ex-Sony and Warner Music Group Executive Rob Wiesenthal and GroupMe co-founder Steve Martocci. It partners with Hunch Ventures, an equity investment firm based in Delhi for operations in India. Rob Wiesenthal is the Chief Executive Officer of BLADE. The company has added Amar Abrol, ex-AirAsia CEO and Managing Director as a consultant to head India operations.
Low-cost Private Charter Flights In India
Booking a private charter flight is a costly affair in India. BLADE addresses this exorbitant price issue, by allowing the user to reserve a single seat via its application and share the helicopter ride. BLADE will not purchase flights for the purpose; rather it intends to establish associations with charter-flight operators on a contract basis to make the facility available. Essentially, BLADE is a service provider for those who wish to book a seat for the route. The application will be made available for both Android and iOS users. The company will also set-up BLADE lounges at all start points of the routes. The permission for setting up BLADE lounges is currently under the review of the Airports Authority of India.
The first route will connect Juhu and Mahalaxmi to Pune and Shirdi. It will operate three times a week in the initial phase. It will soon expand its operations in a way to serve a broader audience across multiple cities.
BLADE will be based in Mumbai, considering the city’s financial capital strength and the travelling regularity of the people in the town.
