CEO of Bombardier, Éric Martel, has cited “clarity” surrounding US tariffs as the reason behind a new wave of confidence, after deferring publication of an outlook earlier this year.
In February 2025, Bombardier posted its financial results for 2024, but unusually it did not include any guidance or objectives for the coming year. However, this situation now appears to have changed.
According to the Montreal Gazette, Martel said on a conference call: “We clearly have more clarity. If you go back to February when we came out to announce our 2024 results, we were right in the middle of a week where it was 25% on everything from Canada, so we didn’t understand exactly how things would work.”
Bombardier relies on over 2,000 US suppliers to build its planes, and it is thought that these parts could be exempt from any tariffs the company faces.
As part of its new outlook, published on May 1, 2025, Bombardier said that it anticipates delivering more than 150 aircraft this year, measured against 146 in 2024.
The Canadian firm also projected that revenues should rise from $8.67 billion in 2024 to $9.25 billion in 2025, and that Adjusted EBIT will increase from $915 million last year to $1.55 billion this year.
“As the world navigates through economic uncertainty, Bombardier has been diligent in its planning, developing multiple scenarios over the past few months,” Martel said. “We have come a long way by focusing on what we control and have everything in place to guide for a strong year in 2025 with an increase in revenues and free cash flow.”
First quarter performance
Bombardier reported revenues of $1.5 billion, an increase of 19% year-over-year in its first quarter update, which it said was driven in part by the delivery of 23 aircraft – three more than during the same quarter last year.
Adjusted EBIT between January and March reached $177 million, a 25% year-over-year increase and Bombardier’s free cash flow usage of $304 million represented a 21% improvement year-over-year.
“Bombardier’s strong start to the year demonstrates our great flexibility as well as the rock-solid fundamentals we have built our business on,” Martel said. “I am tremendously proud of our team who remained focused on executing at the highest level to deliver double-digit gains year-over-year on revenues, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBIT and free cash flow.”
He added: “Over the last five years, we took proactive and necessary steps to address our balance sheet, our revenue streams, as well as supply chain pressure. The foundations we have laid allow us today not only to face uncertainty with calm and confidence, but also to consider the opportunities that may arise from it. Bombardier today is well positioned to carry forward our momentum.”
