Bridger Aerospace Announces Record Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results; Initiates 2025 Guidance

BELGRADE, Mont., March 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc. ("Bridger", "the Company" or "Bridger Aerospace"), (NASDAQ: BAER, BAERW), one of the nation's largest aerial firefighting companies, today reported record results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2024.

Highlights:

   -- Record revenue of $98.6 million for 2024 and $15.6 million in the fourth 
      quarter with multiple Super Scoopers and surveillance aircraft flying 
      into November after an early start to the 2024 wildfire season 
 
   -- Earliest deployment of Super Scoopers in January 2025 to the Palisades 
      Fire and current deployment of MMA aircraft and Super Scoopers to 
      Oklahoma, reinforcing the trend of year-round wildfire activity 
 
   -- 80% improvement in net loss to $15.6 million in 2024 compared to 2023 
 
   -- Doubling of Adjusted EBITDA to $37.3 million in 2024 compared to 2023 
 
   -- Cash provided by operating activities of $9.4 million in 2024 and cash 
      and cash equivalents at year-end of $39.3 million 
 
   -- Five-year $20.1 million contract with the U.S. Department of the Interior 
      in January 2025 to support the state of Alaska 
 
   -- Return-to-service work for the Spanish Super Scoopers on track 
 
   -- Initiating 2025 guidance: 
 
          -- Revenue expected to increase to between $105 million and $111 
             million, representing 9% growth over 2024 at the midpoint of the 
             range 
 
          -- Adjusted EBITDA range of $42 million to $48 million representing 
             growth of 20% at the midpoint of the range 
 
          -- Expect continued improvement in cash provided by operating 
             activities in 2025 

Summary Financial Results

 
                  For the three months      For the year ended 
(in thousands)     Ended December 31,          December 31, 
                 -----------------------  ---------------------- 
                   2024       2023          2024       2023 
Revenues         $ 15,585   $  1,108      $ 98,613   $ 66,708 
 
Operating 
 (loss) income     (7,483)   (25,885)        5,318    (57,495) 
 
Net Loss          (12,845)   (31,139)      (15,567)   (77,358) 
 
Adjusted EBITDA    (2,901)   (10,355)       37,336     18,672 
 
Net cash 
 provided by 
 (used in) 
 operating 
 activities                                  9,355    (26,808) 
 
Cash and cash 
 equivalents                              $ 39,336   $ 22,956 
 
 
 

"With our Scoopers and MMA aircraft deployed into November, we saw a 48% increase in 2024 revenue which, combined with our cost rationalization efforts and operational leverage, contributed to our record performance, reduced net loss and improved Adjusted EBITDA margins and positive cash flow from operations," commented Sam Davis, Bridger's Chief Executive Officer. "As we build on the progress we made in 2024, we are better positioned for year-round wildfire activity. We also see opportunities to drive higher contracted levels of revenue and further diversify our revenue stream, particularly as states look to secure access to limited aerial firefighting assets to increase preparedness and ultimately limit property damage and save lives."

Fourth Quarter 2024 Results

Revenue for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $15.6 million compared to $1.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Fourth quarter 2024 revenue benefitted from higher revenue as multiple Scoopers were deployed into November as well as approximately $5.1 million related to return-to-service work performed on the four Spanish Super Scoopers as part of our partnership agreement with MAB Funding, LLC and approximately $1.4 million from the Company's June acquisition of Flight Test & Mechanical Solutions, Inc. ("FMS").

Cost of revenues was $15.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to $8.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Cost of revenues for the fourth quarter of 2024 included approximately $4.8 million of expenses associated with the return-to-service work for the Spanish Super Scoopers. The acquisition of FMS in June of 2024 also contributed to the increase in cost of revenues.

Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") were $7.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to $18.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 reflecting lower non-cash stock-based compensation expense and lower professional services expenses.

Interest expense for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $5.9 million compared to $6.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Net loss was $12.8 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to a net loss of $31.1 million, or $0.67 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2023. Adjusted EBITDA was negative ($2.9) million in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared to negative ($10.4) million in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Definitions and reconciliations of net loss to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, are attached as Exhibit A to this release.

At December 31, 2024, cash and cash equivalents rose to $39.3 million from $33.3 million at September 31, 2024, benefiting from cash flow related to the strong third quarter performance that was received in the fourth quarter.

Full Year Results

Revenue grew 48% for the year ended December 31, 2024, to $98.6 million from $66.7 million in 2023. Revenue for 2024 included approximately $10.1 million related to return-to-service work performed on the four Spanish Super Scoopers as part of our partnership agreement with MAB Funding, LLC and approximately $3.0 million from the Company's June acquisition of FMS.

Cost of revenues was $57.5 million in 2024 compared to $41.3 million in 2023.

SG&A expenses were $35.8 million in 2024 compared to $82.9 million for 2023 which included non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $45.7 million for RSUs compared to $14.4 million in 2024.

Interest expense for 2024 was $23.7 million compared to $23.2 million in 2023. Other income was $2.1 million for 2024 compared to $3.1 million for 2023.

Net loss was $15.6 million in 2024 compared to a net loss of $77.4 million in 2023. Adjusted EBITDA doubled to $37.3 million in 2024, compared to $18.7 million in 2023.

Business Outlook

With some of our Super Scoopers flying into November 2024 and then being deployed in January 2025 to support the firefighting activity in California, we continue to see a lengthening of the wildfire year beyond the seasonally strong third quarter. We also expect to see more year-round revenue with the 2024 acquisition of FMS, non-aerial firefighting activity and state contracts that place our planes on standby contributing to reduced volatility. As a result, we expect 2025 Adjusted EBITDA to range from $42 million to $48 million on revenue of $105 million to $111 million. This guidance excludes any potential impact from the Spanish Super Scoopers acquired by the joint venture partnership between Marathon Asset Management LP, Avenue Sustainable Solutions Fund and Bridger Aerospace.

Definitions and reconciliations of net loss to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, are attached as Exhibit A to this release.

Conference Call

Bridger Aerospace will hold an investor conference call on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (3:00 p.m. Mountain Time) to discuss these results and its business outlook. Interested parties can access the conference call by dialing 800-579-2543 or 785-424-1789. The conference call will also be broadcast live on the Investor Relations section of our website at https://ir.bridgeraerospace.com. An audio replay will be available through March 20, 2025, by calling 844-512-2921 or 412-317-6671 and using the passcode 11158317. The replay will also be accessible at https://ir.bridgeraerospace.com.

About Bridger Aerospace

Based in Belgrade, Montana, Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc. is one of the nation's largest aerial firefighting companies. Bridger provides aerial firefighting and wildfire management services to federal and state government agencies, including the United States Forest Service, across the nation, as well as internationally. More information about Bridger Aerospace is available at https://www.bridgeraerospace.com.

Investor Contacts

Alison Ziegler

Darrow Associates

201-220-2678

aziegler@darrowir.com

Forward Looking Statements Certain statements included in this press release are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements, including for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as "believe," "may," "will," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "expect," "should," "would," "plan," "project," "forecast," "predict," "poised," "positioned," "potential," "seem," "seek," "future," "outlook," "target, " and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, (1) anticipated expansion of Bridger's operations, including references to Bridger's acquisition of FMS Aerospace and the anticipated benefits therefrom, and increased deployment of Bridger's aircraft fleet, including references to Bridger's acquisition of and/or right to use the four Spanish Scoopers, including the anticipated benefits therefrom, and the ultimate structure of such acquisitions and/or right to use arrangements; (2) Bridger's business and growth plans; (3) Bridger's future financial performance, including the collection of any outstanding receivables; (4) the magnitude, timing, and benefits from any cost rationalization efforts; (5) current and future demand for aerial firefighting services, including trends and/or changes in the duration or severity

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