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

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

[email protected]

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 of any domestic or international wildfire seasons; and (6) anticipated investments in additional aircraft, capital resources, and research and development and the effect of these investments. These statements are based on various assumptions and estimates, whether or not identified in this press release, and on the current expectations of Bridger's management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by any investor as a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of Bridger. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to: Bridger's ability to identify and effectively implement any current or future anticipated cost reductions, including any resulting impacts to Bridger's business and operations therefrom; the duration or severity of any domestic or international wildfire seasons; changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political and legal conditions; Bridger's failure to realize the anticipated benefits of any acquisitions; Bridger's successful integration of any aircraft (including achievement of synergies and cost reductions); Bridger's ability to successfully and timely develop, sell and expand its services, and otherwise implement its growth strategy; risks relating to Bridger's operations and business, including information technology and cybersecurity risks, loss of requisite licenses, flight safety risks, loss of key customers and deterioration in relationships between Bridger and its employees; risks related to increased competition; risks relating to potential disruption of current plans, operations and infrastructure of Bridger, including as a result of the consummation of any acquisition; risks that Bridger is unable to secure or protect its intellectual property; risks that Bridger experiences difficulties managing its growth and expanding operations; Bridger's ability to compete with existing or new companies that could cause downward pressure on prices, fewer customer orders, reduced margins, the inability to take advantage of new business opportunities, and the loss of market share; the ability to successfully select, execute or integrate future acquisitions into Bridger's business, which could result in material adverse effects to operations and financial conditions; and those factors discussed in the sections entitled "Risk Factors” and "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” included in Bridger's Annual Report filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC”) on March 20, 2024, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Bridger's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on July 12, 2024, and Bridger's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 filed with the SEC on November 13, 2024. If any of these risks materialize or Bridger management's assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties above are not exhaustive, and there may be additional risks that Bridger presently does not know or that Bridger currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect Bridger's expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this press release. Bridger anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause Bridger's assessments to change. However, while Bridger may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Bridger specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Bridger's assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.