MEXICO CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Volaris* (NYSE:VLRS and BMV:VOLAR), the ultra-low-cost airline serving Mexico, the United States and Central America, today announced its financial results for the first quarter 2017.
The following financial information, unless otherwise indicated, is presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
First Quarter 2017 Highlights
- Total operating revenues reached Ps.5,656 million for the first quarter, an increase of 9.1% year over year.
- Non-ticket revenues were Ps.1,631 million for the first quarter, an increase of 27.8% year over year. Non-ticket revenues per passenger for the first quarter were Ps.411, increasing 10.6% year over year.
- Total operating revenues per available seat mile (TRASM) were Ps.124.4 cents for the first quarter, a decrease of 6.6% year over year. This is partially explained by a seasonality effect from the shift of Holy and Easter weeks this year, taking place entirely in April.
- Operating expenses per available seat mile (CASM) were Ps.141.4 cents for the first quarter, an increase of 26.6% year over year; with an average economic fuel cost per gallon of Ps. 37.1, increasing 67.8% year-on-year, and an average exchange rate of Ps.20.4, a year-on-year increase of 13.2%.
- Adjusted EBITDAR was Ps.1,055 million for the first quarter, a decrease of 51.5% year over year. Adjusted EBITDAR margin was 18.7% for the first quarter, a decrease in margin of 23.3 percentage points.
- Operating loss was Ps.772 million for the first quarter, with an operating margin of -13.7%, equal to a year over year operating margin decrease of 29.8 percentage points.
- At the end of the first quarter, the Mexican peso appreciated 9.0% with respect to the end of period exchange rate of the previous quarter. The Company booked a foreign exchange loss of Ps.1,145 million as a consequence of our US dollar net monetary asset position. Net loss was Ps.1,361 million (Ps.1.34 per share / US$0.71 per ADS) for the first quarter, with a net margin of -24.1%.
- Net cash flow provided by operating activities was Ps.469 million for the first quarter. As of March 31, 2017, cash and cash equivalents were Ps.6,839 million.
Volaris´ CEO Enrique Beltranena commented: “During the first quarter, we faced a challenging market and geopolitical environment, with a tough seasonality comparison versus the previous year. However, Volaris responded by managing capacity and executing its ULCC model to continue stimulating market demand and adapt rapidly to these conditions. We remain cautiously optimistic of demand and thus we will continue prudently managing capacity based on market demand. Going forward, we believe that the Company’s fundamentals remain strong and our solid financial position will enable us to execute our long-term growth plans.”
Resilient Macroeconomics and Consumer Demand, Although Exchange Rate and Fuel Price Pressures
- Resilient macro and consumer demand: The macroeconomic indicators in Mexico continue to be solid, with same store sales increasing 4%1 during March, remittances increasing 2%2 in January and February and consumer confidence recovering strength towards the end of the quarter.
- Air traffic volume increase: The Mexican DGAC reported overall passenger volume growth for Mexican carriers of 15% year over year in January and February; domestic overall passenger volume increased 14%, while international overall passenger volume increased 19%.
- Exchange rate volatility: The Mexican peso depreciated 13.2% year over year against the US dollar, from an average exchange rate of Ps.18.0 pesos per US dollar in the first quarter 2016 to Ps.20.4 pesos per US dollar during the first quarter 2017.
- Higher fuel prices: The average economic fuel cost per gallon increased 67.8%, year over year, to Ps.37.1 per gallon (US$2.0) in the first quarter 2017, year over year.
Strengthened ULCC Model with Further Non-Ticket Revenue Expansion
- Passenger traffic stimulation: Volaris booked 4.0 million passengers in the first quarter of 2017, up 15.6% year over year. Volaris traffic (measured in terms of revenue passenger miles, or RPMs) increased 14.4% for the same period. System load factor during the quarter decreased 1.8 percentage points year over year to 83.2%.
- Pressured and seasonally weak unit revenue partially offset by managing capacity: For the first quarter of 2017, yield decreased 9.9% with TRASM decreasing 6.6%, year over year, partially explained by a seasonality effect from the shift of Holy and Easter weeks this year. During the first quarter, in terms of ASMs, domestic capacity grew 12.8%, while international capacity increased 26.2%.
- Non-ticket revenue growth: Non-ticket revenues and non-ticket revenues per passenger increased 27.8% and 10.6% year over year for the first quarter of 2017, respectively. Non-ticket revenue generation continues to grow with new products such as the new combos offering for "more flexibility", "more baggage" and "more speed" appealing to particular customers' needs. Effective March 1st the Company began charging for the first checked bag in new bookings for flights to and from the US and Puerto Rico.
- New routes: In the first quarter 2017, Volaris began operations in six new international routes (Guadalajara – Miami, Guadalajara – Milwaukee, Mexico City – Houston, Mexico City – New York (JFK), Mexico City – Miami and San Jose, Costa Rica – San Salvador).
Exchange Rate and Fuel Price Pressure
In the first quarter 2017, Volaris continued to experience pressure in US-dollar denominated costs, such as aircraft and engine rent expenses, international airport costs, and maintenance expenses due to the depreciation of the Mexican peso by 13.2%, year over year. CASM for the first quarter was Ps.141.4 cents, a 26.6% increase compared to the first quarter 2016, mainly driven by fuel price increase and foreign exchange rate pressures. However, at the end of the first quarter, the Mexican peso appreciated 9.0% with respect the end of previous quarter, leading to an exchange rate loss of Ps.1,145 million as result of our US dollar net monetary asset position.
Young and Fuel Efficient Fleet
During the first quarter 2017, the Company did not incorporate any additional aircraft and one aircraft was redelivered in March. As of March 31, 2017, Volaris fleet was composed of 68 aircraft (14 A319s, 44 A320s and 10 A321s), with an average age of 4.4 years. At the end of the first quarter 2017, Volaris’ fleet had an average of 179 seats, 62% of which were in sharklet-equipped aircraft.
Solid Balance Sheet and Good Liquidity
Net cash flow provided by operating activities was Ps.469 million for the first quarter. As of March 31, 2017, cash and cash equivalents were Ps.6,839 million. Volaris registered negative net debt (or a positive net cash position) of Ps.4,804 million and total equity of Ps.9,222 million.
Active in Fuel Risk Management
Volaris remains active in its fuel risk management program. Volaris utilized call options to hedge 52% of its first quarter 2017 fuel consumption, at an average strike price of US $1.64 per gallon, which combined with the 48% unhedged consumption, resulted in a blended average economic fuel cost of US$2.0 per gallon.
Investors are urged to carefully read the Company's periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission, for additional information regarding the Company.
Conference Call/Webcast Details:
Presenters for the Company:
Date: |
Mr. Enrique Beltranena, CEO Mr. Fernando Suárez, CFO
Thursday, April 20, 2017 |
|
Time: | 10:00 am U.S. EDT (9:00 am Mexico City Time) | |
United States dial in (toll free): | 1-800-311-9408 | |
Mexico dial in (toll free): | 0-1-800-847-7666 | |
Brazil dial in (toll free): | 0800-282-5781 | |
International dial in: | +1-334-323-7224 | |
Participant entry number: | 83342 | |
Webcast will be available on our website: | ||
About Volaris:
*Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, S.A.B. de C.V. (“Volaris” or the “Company”) (NYSE: VLRS and BMV: VOLAR), is an ultra-low-cost carrier, with point-to-point operations, serving Mexico, the United States and Central America. Volaris offers low base fares to build its market, providing quality service and extensive customer choice. Since beginning operations in March 2006, Volaris has increased its routes from five to more than 164 and its fleet from four to 68 aircraft. Volaris offers more than 302 daily flight segments on routes that connect 40 cities in Mexico and 28 cities in the United States and Central America with the youngest fleet in Mexico. Volaris targets passengers who are visiting friends and relatives, cost-conscious business people and leisure travelers in Mexico and to select destinations in the United States and Central America. Volaris has received the ESR Award for Social Corporate Responsibility for seven consecutive years. For more information, please visit: www.volaris.com
Forward-looking Statements:
Statements in this release contain various forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which represent the Company's expectations or beliefs concerning future events. When used in this release, the words "expects," "estimates," "plans," "anticipates," "indicates," "believes," "forecast," "guidance," "outlook," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "targets" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Similarly, statements that describe the Company's objectives, plans or goals, or actions the Company may take in the future, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's intentions and expectations regarding the delivery schedule of aircraft on order, announced new service routes and customer savings programs. All forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to the Company on the date of this release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations, including the competitive environment in the airline industry; the Company's ability to keep costs low; changes in fuel costs; the impact of worldwide economic conditions on customer travel behavior; the Company's ability to generate non-ticket revenues; and government regulation. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
1 Source: Asociación Nacional de Tiendas de Autoservicio y
Departamentales, A. C. (ANTAD)
2 Source: Banco de México
(BANXICO)
Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, S.A.B. de C.V. and Subsidiaries |
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Financial and Operating Indicators |
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Unaudited (In Mexican pesos, except otherwise indicated) |
Three months (US Dollars)* |
Three months |
Three months |
Variance |
||||
Total operating revenues (millions) | 301 | 5,656 | 5,182 | 9.1% | ||||
Total operating expenses (millons) | 342 | 6,428 | 4,346 | 47.9% | ||||
EBIT (millions) | (41) | (772) | 836 | NA | ||||
EBIT margin | (13.7%) | (13.7%) | 16.1% | (29.8) pp | ||||
Adjusted EBITDA (millions) | (34) | (644) | 956 | NA | ||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin | (11.4%) | (11.4%) | 18.4% | (29.8) pp | ||||
Adjusted EBITDAR (millions) | 56 | 1,055 | 2,175 | (51.5%) | ||||
Adjusted EBITDAR margin | 18.7% | 18.7% | 42.0% | (23.3) pp | ||||
Net (loss) income (millions) | (72) | (1,361) | 602 | NA | ||||
Net (loss) income margin | (24.1%) | (24.1%) | 11.6% | (35.7) pp | ||||
Earnings per share: | ||||||||
Basic (pesos) | (0.07) | (1.34) | 0.59 | NA | ||||
Diluted (pesos) | (0.07) | (1.34) | 0.59 | NA | ||||
Earnings per ADS: | ||||||||
Basic (pesos) | (0.71) | (13.45) | 5.95 | NA | ||||
Diluted (pesos) | (0.71) | (13.45) | 5.95 | NA | ||||
Weighted average shares outstanding: | ||||||||
Basic | - | 1,011,876,677 | 1,011,876,677 | 0.0% | ||||
Diluted | - | 1,011,876,677 | 1,011,876,677 | 0.0% | ||||
Available seat miles (ASMs) (millions)(1) | - | 4,547 | 3,892 | 16.8% | ||||
Domestic | - | 3,080 | 2,730 | 12.8% | ||||
International | - | 1,467 | 1,162 | 26.2% | ||||
Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) (millions)(1) | - | 3,784 | 3,306 | 14.4% | ||||
Domestic | - | 2,597 | 2,317 | 12.1% | ||||
International | - | 1,186 | 989 | 19.9% | ||||
Load factor(2) | - | 83.2% | 85.0% | (1.8) pp | ||||
Domestic | - | 84.3% | 84.9% | (0.6) pp | ||||
International | - | 80.9% | 85.1% | (4.2) pp | ||||
Total operating revenue per ASM (TRASM) (cents)(1) | 6.6 | 124.4 | 133.2 | (6.6%) | ||||
Passenger revenue per ASM (RASM) (cents)(1) | 4.7 | 88.5 | 100.4 | (11.8%) | ||||
Passenger revenue per RPM (Yield) (cents)(1) | 5.7 | 106.4 | 118.1 | (9.9%) | ||||
Average fare(2) | 54 | 1,020 | 1,141 | (10.7%) | ||||
Non-ticket revenue per passenger (1) | 21.9 | 411 | 372 | 10.6% | ||||
Operating expenses per ASM (CASM) (cents)(1) | 7.5 | 141.4 | 111.7 | 26.6% | ||||
Operating expenses per ASM (CASM) ( US cents)(1) | - | 7.5 | 6.4 | 17.1% | ||||
CASM ex fuel (cents)(1) | 5.3 | 99.8 | 85.6 | 16.5% | ||||
CASM ex fuel (US cents)(1) | - | 5.3 | 4.9 | 7.8% | ||||
Booked passengers (thousands)(1) | - | 3,964 | 3,430 | 15.6% | ||||
Departures(1) | - | 26,754 | 24,061 | 11.2% | ||||
Block hours(1) | - | 71,802 | 64,868 | 10.7% | ||||
Fuel gallons consumed (millions) | - | 51.0 | 45.8 | 11.3% | ||||
Average economic fuel cost per gallon | 2.0 | 37.1 | 22.1 | 67.8% | ||||
Aircraft at end of period | - | 68 | 59 | 15.3% | ||||
Average aircraft utilization (block hours) | - | 12.4 | 13.1 | (5.0%) | ||||
Average exchange rate | - | 20.39 | 18.02 | 13.2% | ||||
End of period exchange rate | - | 18.81 | 17.40 | 8.1% | ||||
*Peso amounts were converted to U.S. dollars at end of period exchange rate for convenience purposes only | ||||||||
(1) Includes schedule + charter (2) Includes schedule | ||||||||
Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, S.A.B. de C.V. and Subsidiaries |
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Consolidated Statement of Operations |
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Unaudited
(In millions of Mexican pesos) |
Three months (US Dollars)* |
Three months |
Three months |
Variance |
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Operating revenues: | ||||||||
Passenger | 214 | 4,025 | 3,906 | 3.1% | ||||
Non-ticket | 87 | 1,631 | 1,276 | 27.8% | ||||
301 | 5,656 | 5,182 | 9.1% | |||||
Other operating income | - | (1) | (195) | (99.7%) | ||||
Fuel | 101 | 1,892 | 1,013 | 86.7% | ||||
Aircraft and engine rent expense | 90 | 1,699 | 1,219 | 39.3% | ||||
Landing, take-off and navigation expenses | 55 | 1,035 | 791 | 30.9% | ||||
Salaries and benefits | 37 | 696 | 564 | 23.4% | ||||
Sales, marketing and distribution expenses | 19 | 358 | 295 | 21.2% | ||||
Maintenance expenses | 19 | 351 | 340 | 3.4% | ||||
Other operating expenses | 14 | 269 | 200 | 34.9% | ||||
Depreciation and amortization | 7 | 128 | 120 | 7.0% | ||||
Operating expenses | 342 | 6,428 | 4,346 | 47.9% | ||||
Operating (loss) income | (41) | (772) | 836 | NA | ||||
Finance income | 1 | 21 | 34 | (37.9%) | ||||
Finance cost | (1) | (21) | (7) | >100% | ||||
Exchange (loss) gain, net | (61) | (1,145) | 9 | NA | ||||
Comprehensive financing result | (61) | (1,144) | 37 | NA | ||||
(Loss) income before income tax | (102) | (1,916) | 872 | NA | ||||
Income tax benefit (expense) | 30 | 556 | (270) | NA | ||||
Net (loss) income | (72) | (1,361) | 602 | NA | ||||
*Peso amounts were converted to U.S. dollars at end of period exchange rate for convenience purposes only. | ||||||||
Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, S.A.B. de C.V. and Subsidiaries |
Adjusted EBITDAR Reconciliation |
The Company is providing a reconciliation of GAAP financial information to non-GAAP financial information as it believes that non-GAAP financial measures provide management and investors the ability to measure the performance of the Company on a consistent basis. These non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as an analytical tool.
Unaudited
(In millions of Mexican pesos) |
Three months (US Dollars)* |
Three months |
Three months |
Variance |
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Reconciliation: | ||||||||
Net (loss) income | (72) | (1,361) | 602 | NA | ||||
Plus (minus): | ||||||||
Finance cost | 1 | 21 | 7 | >100% | ||||
Finance income | (1) | (21) | (34) | (37.9%) | ||||
Provision for income tax | (30) | (556) | 270 | NA | ||||
Depreciation and amortization | 7 | 128 | 120 | 7.0% | ||||
EBITDA | (95) | (1,789) | 965 | NA | ||||
Exchange loss (gain), net | 61 | 1,145 | (9) | NA | ||||
Adjusted EBITDA | (34) | (644) | 956 | NA | ||||
Aircraft and engine rent expense | 90 | 1,699 | 1,219 | 39.3% | ||||
Adjusted EBITDAR | 56 | 1,055 | 2,175 | (51.5%) | ||||
*Peso amounts were converted to U.S. dollars at end of period exchange rate for convenience purposes only | ||||||||
Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, S.A.B. de C.V. and Subsidiaries |
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Consolidated Statement of Financial Position |
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(In millions of Mexican pesos) |
March 31, 2017 (US Dollars)* |
March 31, 2017 |
December 31, 2016 |
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Assets | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 364 | 6,839 | 7,071 | |||
Accounts receivable | 53 | 1,006 | 963 | |||
Inventories | 13 | 249 | 244 | |||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 78 | 1,460 | 1,563 | |||
Financial instruments | 17 | 324 | 544 | |||
Guarantee deposits | 57 | 1,067 | 1,167 | |||
Total current assets | 582 | 10,945 | 11,551 | |||
Rotable spare parts, furniture and equipment, net | 146 | 2,751 | 2,525 | |||
Intangible assets, net | 6 | 119 | 114 | |||
Financial instruments | 9 | 174 | 324 | |||
Deferred income taxes | 31 | 577 | 559 | |||
Guarantee deposits | 319 | 5,992 | 6,560 | |||
Other assets | 7 | 141 | 148 | |||
Total non-current assets | 519 | 9,753 | 10,231 | |||
Total assets | 1,100 | 20,698 | 21,782 | |||
Liabilities | ||||||
Unearned transportation revenue | 159 | 2,987 | 2,154 | |||
Accounts payable | 53 | 999 | 927 | |||
Accrued liabilities | 95 | 1,783 | 1,785 | |||
Other taxes and fees payable | 92 | 1,730 | 1,476 | |||
Income taxes payable | 2 | 33 | 196 | |||
Financial instruments | - | 2 | 14 | |||
Financial debt | 61 | 1,150 | 1,051 | |||
Other liabilities | 21 | 391 | 284 | |||
Total short-term liabilities | 482 | 9,075 | 7,888 | |||
Financial debt | 47 | 885 | 943 | |||
Accrued liabilities | 8 | 145 | 170 | |||
Other liabilities | 8 | 145 | 137 | |||
Employee benefits | 1 | 14 | 13 | |||
Deferred income taxes | 64 | 1,212 | 1,837 | |||
Total long-term liabilities | 128 | 2,401 | 3,100 | |||
Total liabilities | 610 | 11,476 | 10,988 | |||
Equity | ||||||
Capital stock | 158 | 2,974 | 2,974 | |||
Treasury shares | (4) | (83) | (83) | |||
Contributions for future capital increases | - | - | - | |||
Legal reserve | 2 | 38 | 38 | |||
Additional paid-in capital | 96 | 1,803 | 1,801 | |||
Retained earnings | 243 | 4,567 | 5,928 | |||
Accumulated other comprehensive losses | (4) | (76) | 137 | |||
Total equity | 490 | 9,222 | 10,794 | |||
Total liabilities and equity | 1,100 | 20,698 | 21,782 | |||
Total shares outstanding fully diluted | 1,011,876,677 | 1,011,876,677 | ||||
*Peso amounts were converted to U.S. dollars at end of period exchange rate for convenience purposes only | ||||||
Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, S.A.B. de C.V. and Subsidiaries |
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Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows – Cash Flow Data Summary |
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Unaudited
(In millions of Mexican pesos) |
Three months |
Three months |
Three months |
|||
Net cash flow provided by operating activities | 25 | 469 | 1,329 | |||
Net cash flow (used in) provided by investing activities | (18) | (342) | 435 | |||
Net cash flow provided by (used in) financing activities | 9 | 174 | (549) | |||
Increase in cash and cash equivalents | 16 | 300 | 1,216 | |||
Net foreign exchange differences | (28) | (533) | (7) | |||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 376 | 7,071 | 5,157 | |||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | 364 | 6,839 | 6,366 | |||
*Peso amounts were converted to U.S. dollars at end of period exchange rate for convenience purposes only | ||||||