Surf Air Mobility Lists Shares, Giving Hope That a Key Venture Exit Door Is Reopening

Surf Air Mobility, a venture-capital-backed aviation and air travel company, listed shares on the New York Stock Exchange via a direct listing, the latest sign that the market for initial public stock deals is gaining momentum after being at a near standstill for the past 18 months. 

Surf Air’s stock closed at $3.15 a share Thursday, after opening at $5 a share, down from its reference price of $20 set Wednesday. Founded in 2013, Los Angeles-based Surf Air offers charter flights on private planes.

Surf…