Bombardier posted positive free cash flow of $228 million in the second quarter, reversing a year-ago cash outflow and reflecting firmer customer deposits on new aircraft orders. The Montreal-based business jet manufacturer reported quarterly revenue of $2.15 billion, a 6% increase compared with the same period last year, with aftermarket services cited as a contributor to top-line growth.
The company delivered 32 business jets during the quarter, down from 36 in the comparable period a year earlier. Bombardier said deliveries were affected by ongoing supply-chain constraints and noted it expects to hand over more aircraft in the back half of 2026. Management has been increasing production rates and paying down debt as it works to fulfil orders.
Bombardier's backlog stood at $21.8 billion as of June 30, an increase of $4.3 billion from the end of December. The larger backlog reflects growing demand for private aviation, a trend the company linked to a surge of wealth generated by AI startups and SpaceX, which has expanded the pool of customers for business jets.
On a per-share basis, adjusted quarterly profits were reported at $257 million, or $2.50 per share, compared with adjusted earnings of $117 million, or $1.11 per share, a year earlier. Analysts and industry manufacturers say aerospace supply chains have generally improved since the COVID-19 pandemic and that overall deliveries have risen this year, even as concerns remain about availability of certain parts.
Bombardier faces peer benchmarks in the quarter: U.S. rival Gulfstream Aerospace, part of General Dynamics Corp, reported deliveries rose by three planes to 41, while Textron Inc indicated it continued to contend with issues related to some key components. Bombardier said customers' firm deposits on new-plane orders helped bolster cash flow during the quarter.
Investors and market participants will likely watch whether the company can sustain production increases and convert backlog into deliveries without renewed supply disruptions. For now, the shift to positive free cash flow, the increase in adjusted earnings, and the expanded backlog all underscore a stronger near-term commercial position for the planemaker even as delivery timing remains uneven.