Bridger Aerospace announces $46 million sale-leaseback deal to cut debt and boost growth

Bridger Aerospace Group has signed a purchase and sale agreement for a sale-leaseback transaction for its Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport campus facilities in the US state of Montana, with an aggregate purchase price of at least US$46 million. The net proceeds from the transaction will be used to repay a portion of the outstanding balance under the company’s debt facilities, lowering ongoing cash interest. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025 and is subject to customary closing conditions.

Concurrent with the closing of the transaction, Bridger will enter into a 10-year lease agreement with SR Aviation Infrastructure (SRAI), the purchaser, for the hangar and office headquarter facilities, which the company will continue to utilize as a base for its aerial firefighting operations.

SRAI, an affiliate of SomeraRoad, is an investment platform focused on the acquisition, development, and leasing of aviation-related real estate. It includes airplane hangar space for corporate users, based aircraft, fixed-base operators (FBOs), maintenance, repair and overhaul companies (MROs), flight schools, charter, and management companies across the USA. The platform addresses the existing supply and demand imbalance in the aviation-related real estate sector. The current portfolio additionally includes Quail Air Center in Las Vegas, Nevada; and the San Antonio International Airport private hangar complex in San Antonio, Texas.

“We are thrilled to have secured this agreement with SRAI to capitalize on the appreciated value of our real estate portfolio and materially reduce the company’s debt balance,” commented Sam Davis, Bridger’s Chief Executive Officer. “Bridger remains committed to the Bozeman area by entering a 10-year leaseback, and the sale of our state-of-the-art facilities to a real estate investment firm will enable us to continue to grow and further enhance shareholder value.”

Bridger Aerospace was recently awarded a contract by Montana for wildfire detection aircraft.