BLADE Urban Air Mobility, Inc., a technology-powered air mobility company, announced the completion of its business combination with Experience Investment Corp. (NASDAQ: EXPC, “EIC”), a NASDAQ listed special purpose acquisition company sponsored by KSL Capital Partners. The combined holding company will change its legal name to Blade Air Mobility, Inc. (the “Blade HoldCo”) and Blade Urban Air Mobility, Inc. (“Blade” or the “Company”) will be its wholly owned, operating subsidiary. The Blade HoldCo’s common stock and warrants are expected to commence trading on May 10, 2021 on the NASDAQ under the new ticker symbols “BLDE” and “BLDEW,” respectively.

As a result of the business combination and concurrent private placement of common stock, Blade HoldCo received approximately $365 million in gross proceeds.

Kenneth B. Lerer, Chairman of Blade said, “Our transaction with EIC is transformative. The capital will enable Blade’s strong brand and consumer proposition in urban air mobility to rapidly scale across new markets while allowing the Company to accelerate M&A activities and ensure that it is well positioned as Electric Vertical Aircraft become available.”

Rob Wiesenthal, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Blade, added, “Our recent agreements with Electric Vertical Aircraft manufacturers Beta Technologies and Wisk Aero will accelerate our transition to quiet, emission-free, and cost efficient urban air mobility. Additionally, we are well positioned to capitalize on pent-up travel demand with the relaunch of our New York Airport service and related partnership with KAYAK.”

Eric Affeldt, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Experience Investment Corp., added, “We are pleased to see the completion of this merger. Blade stands at the intersection of urban air mobility and the ongoing transition to an emission-free transportation world. We believe the unique position of Blade as an operating urban air mobility business will enable it to deliver significant value to internal and external stakeholders.”

In addition to Rob Wiesenthal, Blade’s existing management team will continue to lead the combined company including President Melissa Tomkiel, Chief Financial Officer Will Heyburn, and Chief Technology Officer Brandon Keene.

Advisors

Credit Suisse served as the exclusive financial and capital markets advisor to Blade. Deutsche Bank Securities served as lead capital markets and exclusive financial advisor to Experience Investment Corp., with Citigroup and J.P. Morgan acting as joint capital markets advisors. Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank Securities also acted as lead placement agents on the private offering, with Citigroup and J.P. Morgan acting as joint placement agents. Proskauer Rose LLP served as legal advisor to Blade, and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP served as legal advisor to Experience Investment Corp.