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Bristow Group Inc.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 5 May 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 12 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue rose, net income fell: Total revenues were $388.7 million, up from $377.3 million. Net income attributable to the company was $13.1 million, or $0.44 diluted EPS, down from $18.4 million or $0.61. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA slightly lower: Adjusted EBITDA was $59.3 million, against $60.1 million in the prior quarter. EBITDA rose to $54.8 million from $50.5 million, the company reported. Source
  • Americas and Africa revenue rose: Americas revenue rose $5.6 million to $105.4 million on higher rates and utilization. Africa revenue rose $4.0 million to $50.3 million. Source
  • Government Services revenue rose on IRCG: Government Services revenue rose $7.8 million to $107.9 million, and operating income was $0.9 million against an operating loss of $1.6 million. Source
  • Depreciation rose on S76D revision: Depreciation and amortization rose to $24.4 million from $18.4 million, mainly accelerated depreciation on S76D medium helicopters after a useful-life revision. Source
  • Operating cash flow turned negative: Net cash used in operating activities was $8.3 million, against $76.9 million provided in the prior quarter. Source
  • Free cash flow turned negative: Free Cash Flow was negative $12.6 million and Adjusted Free Cash Flow was negative $11.8 million. Source
  • Three megatrends cited: Management named increased defense spending, energy security and electrification of transportation as three megatrends it expects Bristow to benefit from. Source

“Bristow’s first quarter results place us on track for what is expected to be a transformational year for the Company in 2026,”

Chris Bradshaw, President and CEO of Bristow Group

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Offshore Energy Services revenues Source2026E$1,010 - $1,080 millionKept
Government Services revenues Source2026E$440 - $460 millionKept
Other Services revenues Source2026E$130 - $150 millionKept
Total revenues Source2026E$1,580 - $1,690 millionKept
Offshore Energy Services Adjusted Operating Income Source2026E$225 - $235 millionKept
Government Services Adjusted Operating Income Source2026E$70 - $80 millionKept
Other Services Adjusted Operating Income Source2026E$20 - $25 millionKept
Corporate Adjusted Operating Income Source2026E($35 - $30) million, as written in the documentKept
Total Adjusted Operating Income Source2026E$280 - $310 millionKept
Cash interest Source2026E~$40 millionKept
Cash taxes Source2026E$25 - $30 millionKept
Maintenance capital expenditures Source2026E$20 - $25 millionKept

What changed from last quarter

  • New: Waterford base began operations, the final base on the Irish Coast Guard contract. Source
  • New: The company sold two heavy helicopters and various other assets during the quarter. Source
  • Ended: The 6.875% Senior Notes were redeemed, and related deferred financing fees were written off. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue rose, net income fell: Total revenues were $388.7 million, up from $377.3 million. Net income attributable to the company was $13.1 million, or $0.44 diluted EPS, down from $18.4 million or $0.61. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA slightly lower: Adjusted EBITDA was $59.3 million, against $60.1 million in the prior quarter. EBITDA rose to $54.8 million from $50.5 million, the company reported. Source
  • Basic EPS and share count: Basic EPS was $0.45 against $0.63. Weighted average diluted shares were 30.1 million, compared with 30.0 million in the prior quarter. Source

Segments and regions

  • Americas and Africa revenue rose: Americas revenue rose $5.6 million to $105.4 million on higher rates and utilization. Africa revenue rose $4.0 million to $50.3 million. Source
  • Europe revenue declined: Europe revenue was $98.7 million, against $101.4 million, on lower UK utilization and reimbursable revenue, with favorable currency partly offsetting. Source
  • Government Services revenue rose on IRCG: Government Services revenue rose $7.8 million to $107.9 million, and operating income was $0.9 million against an operating loss of $1.6 million. Source
  • Other Services operating result fell: Other Services operating loss was $1.3 million against operating income of $1.5 million. Adjusted Operating Income margin fell to 4% from 14%. Source
  • Africa and Europe flight hours moved: Africa flight hours rose 6.9% and Europe fell 3.8%. Americas flight hours were down 0.3% from the prior quarter. Source
  • Government and Other flight hours fell: Government Services flight hours fell 3.2% and Other Services flight hours fell 7.9% from the prior quarter. Source

“Bristow has created significant option value, with minimal capital commitment to date, as an early leader in what is expected to be a large and rapidly growing addressable market”

Chris Bradshaw, President and CEO of Bristow Group

Costs, margins and asset gains

  • Depreciation rose on S76D revision: Depreciation and amortization rose to $24.4 million from $18.4 million, mainly accelerated depreciation on S76D medium helicopters after a useful-life revision. Source
  • Offshore margins narrowed: Offshore Energy Services operating income margin was 14% against 17%. Adjusted Operating Income margin was 20% against 21%. Source
  • Offshore personnel costs fell: Offshore personnel costs were $3.1 million lower on lower Africa severance and fewer U.S. staff, and other operating costs were $2.9 million lower. Source
  • Asset disposal gains swung positive: Net gains on asset disposals were $7.6 million, against net losses of $2.1 million in the prior quarter. Source

Fleet and aircraft

  • Helicopter ownership split: The helicopter fleet comprised 157 owned and 43 leased helicopters, plus 13 fixed wing aircraft. Source
  • Segment fleet mix: Offshore Energy Services operated 129 aircraft, Government Services 69 and Other Services 18. Source
  • Aircraft under construction and options: Five aircraft are under construction, and 17 options are excluded from the fleet count. Source

Capital, cash and returns

  • Operating cash flow turned negative: Net cash used in operating activities was $8.3 million, against $76.9 million provided in the prior quarter. Source
  • Free cash flow turned negative: Free Cash Flow was negative $12.6 million and Adjusted Free Cash Flow was negative $11.8 million. Source
  • Capex and asset sale proceeds: Property and equipment purchases were $41.3 million, of which $4.4 million were maintenance. Asset sale proceeds were $24.9 million. Source
  • Liquidity near $394 million: Total liquidity was $393.6 million, including $342.1 million of unrestricted cash and $51.5 million of ABL availability. Source
  • Dividend declared and paid: The company declared a $0.125 per share dividend and paid $3.7 million in cash dividends during the quarter. Source
  • Interest expense rose on refinancing: Interest expense, net rose to $13.8 million from $10.4 million, reflecting higher debt balances and refinancing costs. Source

Strategy and market view

  • Three megatrends cited: Management named increased defense spending, energy security and electrification of transportation as three megatrends it expects Bristow to benefit from. Source
  • Organic and inorganic growth expected: Management said it believes there will be compelling organic and inorganic growth for a specialized aviation services provider. Source
  • Hydrocarbon supply location emphasis: Management said geopolitical events have increased focus on where hydrocarbon supplies are located, and named offshore basins Bristow serves as secure sources. Source

Coming up, as management said on 5 May 2026

  • Dividend payable May 29: The $0.125 per share dividend declared April 30, 2026 is payable May 29, 2026, to holders of record on May 15. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Flight hours (total) Source31,620, down from 32,042
Fuel costs Source$20.1 million, down from $20.8 million
Fleet Source216 aircraft

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Repairs and maintenance cost rose on lower vendor credits. Source
  • External: Currency losses drove other expense of $5.4 million in the quarter. Source
  • Demand: Other Services revenue fell on lower seasonal activity in Australia. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: Management said first quarter results place the company on track for a transformational 2026. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.