PAC - Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico Announces Results for the Fourth Quarter of 2020

GUADALAJARA, Mexico, Feb. 24, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: PAC; BMV: GAP) (“the Company” or “GAP”) reported its consolidated results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2020 (4Q20). Figures are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).

COVID-19 Impact

During the fourth quarter of the year, the COVID-19 pandemic continued to affect the Company’s results, mainly due to the decrease in international and domestic passenger traffic compared to 4Q19. Beginning in mid-2020, non-essential activities in Mexico began to reactivate and the airports began to demonstrate improvements in passenger traffic. However, the general population was encouraged to remain at home. With respect to operations in the Jamaican airports, beginning June 15, 2020, the number of flights at these airports began to increase, but 4Q20 had much lower passenger traffic levels compared to 4Q19.

The level of recovery in the Company’s operations and results will depend on the duration and containment of the pandemic by the Mexican, Jamaican and U.S. governments, as the main origin-destination. Due to the nature of the pandemic, the Company cannot completely estimate its impact on the financial situation or the operating results of the Company for the short, medium, or long term.

4Q20 Company Measures:

• The Company continued to offer support to the airlines and its commercial clients. The Company granted discounts for commercial contracts, with regards to the guaranteed minimum rent amounts, in accordance with the percentage of passenger traffic decrease at each airport, thereby maintaining percentage of participation over revenues. With regards to the airlines, the Company continued its incentive program in accordance with the reactivation of routes and frequencies that were held prior to the pandemic.

• Operating cost control measures were maintained throughout most of the various expense line items; however, these began to steadily increase in line with the gradual re-opening of the operating areas per the higher passenger traffic at each airport.

• The Company concluded the extraordinary review of the Master Development Program with the Mexican Aeronautical Authority for the current 5-year period, deferring investments for a period of 20 months. The Company also presented the Jamaican government certain rebalancing proposals for the Montego Bay and Kingston airports, which will be reviewed in 2021.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s Financial Position:

While the pandemic-related effects caused a significant decline for 4Q20 results, the Company generated a positive EBITDA. Controlling cost of services, the decrease in the rights to concession taxes and the technical assistance fees, allowed the Company to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on revenues.

During 4Q20, the Company generated a positive cash flow in operating activities, even though it was significantly lower than the cash flow for 4Q19. The Company reported a solid financial position for the close of 4Q20, cash and cash equivalents on December 31, 2020 reached Ps. 14.5 billion (92.6% superior to the balance at 2019). During 4Q20, the Company refinanced US$ 191.0 million in debt matured during the first quarter of 2021.

During 4Q20, the Company carried out an evaluation covering the possible adverse impacts of the pandemic on the Company’s financial condition and operating results, as well as a review of the indicators and deterioration of the larger long-term assets, expected credit losses and recovery of assets due to deferred taxes. In this evaluation, the Company reviewed financial results for the short, medium, and long term, concluding that a significant deterioration of the Company’s assets is not expected. As such, the Company does not foresee business interruption or closing of operations at any of its airports. However, the Company cannot ensure that the negative effect of the pandemic will be lower in the coming quarter than in 4Q20, nor can it ensure that local and global economic conditions will improve. The Company can also not predict the availability of financing, or what general credit conditions will be.

The Company will continue to monitor the pandemic’s adverse effects on the results of the operations, including the monitoring of key indicators, deterioration tests, projections, budgets, fair values, future cash flow related to the recovery of the financial and non-financial assets, as well as possible contingencies.

During 4Q20, the Company carried out the risk valuation that represented the accounts receivables of airlines and commercial clients in terms of liquidity. As a result, the Company was able to recover the accounts receivables reserves of some of its clients, as such, the reserve for expected credit losses declined by Ps. 26.5 million; this effect is recognized in the operating cost.

In accordance with the 2020 annual results, the Company expects an asset recovery for deferred taxes recognized in the statement of cash position, even though the results declined with respect to 2019.

The Company will continue informing the market in a timely manner regarding future material updates to the airport operations, as well as measures that are adopted for preserving liquidity and business continuity.

Summary of Results 4Q20 vs. 4Q19

• The sum of aeronautical and non-aeronautical services revenues decreased by Ps. 1.0 billion, or 28.4% . Total revenues decreased by Ps. 2.2 billion, or 48.7%.
  
  
• Cost of services decreased by Ps. 135.2 million, or 17.5% .
  
  
• Operating revenue decreased by Ps. 673.6 million, or 34.8 %.
  
  
• EBITDA decreased by Ps. 656.4 million, or 27.1% , going from Ps. 2.4 billion in 4Q19 to Ps.1.8 billion in 4Q20. The EBITDA margin (excluding the effects of IFRIC 12) increased from 65.0% in 4Q19 to 66.2% in 4Q20.
  
  
• Net comprehensive income (loss) changed from income of Ps. 1.0 billion in 4Q19 to a loss of Ps. 307.5 million, or (129.7%) in 4Q20.
  

Passenger Traffic

During 4Q20, total terminal passengers at the Company’s 14 airports decreased by 4,531.2 thousand passengers, a decrease of 35.5%, compared to 4Q19. During 4Q20, there were no new route openings.

Revenues (4Q20 vs. 4Q19)

• Aeronautical services revenues decreased by Ps. 747.7 million, or 27.0%
• Non-aeronautical services revenues decreased by Ps. 312.1 million, or 32.4%
• Revenues from improvements to concession assets decreased by Ps. 1.2 billion, or (139.2%)
• Total revenues decreased by Ps. 2.2 billion, or 48.7%
  
  
• Aeronautical services revenues include:
  
  
  1. Revenues from the Mexican airports decreased by Ps. 457.0 million, or 19.9%, compared to 4Q19, generated mainly by a 31.7% decrease in passenger traffic, offset by the increase in maximum tariffs applicable in 2020.
     
     
  2. Revenues from the Montego Bay airport decreased by Ps. 228.8 million, or 68.2%, compared to 4Q19. This was mainly due to the 73.7% decrease in passenger traffic. The passenger traffic decline was offset by both the increase in the passenger fees for 2020 and the 7.0% depreciation of the peso versus the U.S. dollar during 4Q20, which went from an average exchange rate of Ps. 19.2819 in 4Q19 to Ps. 20.6308 in 4Q20.
     
     
  3. Revenues from the Kingston airport declined by Ps. 61.9 million, or 43.7% compared to 4Q19, mainly due to the passenger traffic decrease of 67.3%. The increase in passenger fees for the 2020, as well as the depreciation of the peso versus the dollar, offset the passenger traffic decline.
     

• Non-aeronautical services revenues include:
  
  
  1. The Mexican airports decreased by Ps. 236.1 million, or 30.0%, compared to 4Q19. Revenues from businesses operated by third parties decreased by Ps. 128.4 million. This was mainly due to a decrease in revenues from time shares, food and beverage, duty-free stores, retail and car rentals, which jointly decreased by Ps. 119.5 million, or 30.7%. Revenues from businesses operated directly by the Company decreased by Ps. 94.5 million, or 38.8%, while the recovery of costs decreased by Ps. 13.3 million, or 29.2%.
     
     
  2. Revenues from the Montego Bay airport decreased by Ps. 66.8 million, or 48.4% compared to 4Q19. Revenues in U.S. dollars decreased by US$ 3.7 million, or 51.7%. However, the 7.0% depreciation of the peso versus the dollar offset the revenue decrease in 4Q20.
     
     
  3. Revenues from the Kingston airport declined by Ps. 9.1 million, compared to 4Q19. Revenues in U.S. dollars decreased by US$ 0.6 million, or 29.0%.
     

- Revenues from improvements to concession assets ¹
Revenues from improvements to concession assets (IFRIC12) decreased by Ps. 1.2 billion, or 139.2%, compared to 4Q19, mainly in:

1. The Mexican airports, which decreased by Ps. 1.2 billion, or 153.3%, caused by the cancellation of the provision of improvements to concession assets in 4Q20 due to the improvements that were not realized during the year given the government restrictions on activities due to the pandemic, as well as the adjustment for the extraordinary review of the Master Development Program, which authorized the deferral of investments in 2020 compared to the original MDP.
2. The Montego Bay airport, which decreased by Ps. 13.8 million, or 26.4%. These effects were mitigated by the increase in the services for improvements to concession assets in the Kingston airport of Ps. 51.4 million, or 100.0%.

Total operating costs decreased by Ps. 1.6 billion, or 58.9%, compared to 4Q19, mainly due to the decrease in the cost for improvements to the concession assets (IFRIC12) of Ps. 1.2 billion. Not including these costs, total operating costs declined by Ps. 386.2 million, or 21.5%. This was comprised in the following manner:

Mexican Airports:

• Operating costs decreased by Ps. 1.4 billion or 68.7%, compared to 4Q19, mainly due to the decline in the cost of improvements to the concession assets (IFRIC12) for Ps. 1,207.5 million, or 153.3%, (excluding this cost, operating costs decreased by Ps. 195.3 million or 15.6%), a decline in cost of services for Ps. 96.1 million, or 16.5%, a decrease in technical assistance fees and concession taxes for Ps. 61.1 million, or 22.7%, due to the decline in revenues, as well as a decrease in other expenses for Ps. 29.8 million, or 172.6%.
  

The decline in the cost of services was mainly due to the cost containment program during 4Q20:

• Other operating expenses decreased by Ps. 51.5 million, or 51.0%, compared to 4Q19, mainly due to a decrease in the cost of sales in the VIP lounges and convenience stores, as well as professional service fees, travel costs and expenses for FBO services for Ps. 48.4 million, or 62.6%, jointly. There was also an increase in the estimate for credit losses that was expected due to the financial situation of clients for Ps. 1.5 million, as well as the payments for expenses for hygiene for the prevention of COVID-19, which together totaled Ps. 1.7 million.
• Maintenance costs decreased by Ps. 38.3 million, or 26.0%, compared to 4Q19.
• Utilities decreased by Ps. 10.7 million, or 16.9%, compared to 4Q19, mainly due to low electric energy consumption as well as lesser water consumption by Ps. 9.8 million.
  

Montego Bay Airport:

• Operating costs decreased by Ps. 142.5 million, or 34.3% compared to 4Q19, mainly due to the decrease in concession taxes of Ps. 125.7 million, or 88.6%, cost of services of Ps. 25.6 million, or 21.6%, and cost of improvements to the concession assets (IFRIC-12) of Ps. 13.8 million, or 26.3%, which were offset by the increase in depreciation and amortization of Ps. 24.9 million, or 24.3%. Operating costs in U.S. dollars declined by US$ 7.3 million. However, this figure was offset by the 7.0% depreciation of the Mexican peso against the U.S. dollar.
  

Kingston Airport:

• Operating costs decreased by Ps. 10.9 million, or 5.9% in 4Q20 compared to 4Q19, mainly due to the decline in concession taxes of Ps. 49.2 million or 45.7%, cost of services for Ps. 13.5 million or 18.2%. These effects were offset by the increase in costs of improvements to the concession assets (IFRIC-12) of Ps. 51.4 million. Operating costs in U.S. dollars declined by US$ 0.6 million, however the depreciation of the peso offset this decrease.
  

Operating margin for 4Q20 declined by 1,150 basis points, from a margin of 42.3% in 4Q19 to a margin of 53.8% in 4Q20. Excluding the effects of IFRIC-12, operating margin declined by 470 basis points, from 51.8% to 47.1% in 4Q20. Operating income decreased by Ps. 673.6 million, or 34.8%, compared to 4Q19.

EBITDA margin increased by 2,240 basis points, from 53.0% in 4Q19 to 75.4% in 4Q20. Excluding the effects of IFRIC-12, EBITDA margin increased by 120 basis points, from 65.0% in 4Q19 to 66.2% in 4Q20. The nominal value of EBITDA was Ps. 1,766.6 million in 4Q20, compared to Ps. 2,423.0 million in 4Q19, representing a decrease of 27.1%.

The net financial result increased by Ps. 682.9 million, from a net expense of Ps. 183.9 million in 4Q19 to a net expense of Ps. 866.9 million in 4Q20. This increase was mainly the result of:

• Foreign exchange rate fluctuations, which went from a Ps. 39.7 million expense in 4Q19 to a Ps. 529.9 million expense in 4Q20, mainly due to a 11.2% appreciation of the Mexican peso against the U.S. dollar in 4Q20, thereby generating a decrease in the foreign exchange loss of Ps. 490.2 million. The currency translation effect represented a loss of Ps. 420.2 million, compared to 4Q19.
  
  
• An increase in interest expenses of Ps. 112.6 million, or 31.4%, compared to 4Q19, mainly due to higher debt derived from the issuance of long-term bonds and bank debt disbursed during 2020.
  
  
• Interest income declined by Ps. 80.1 million, or 38.5%, mainly due to the decline in the investment rates.
  

In 4Q20, comprehensive income decreased by Ps. 1.3 billion , or 129.7% compared to 4Q19. This effect was mainly derived by the substantial passenger traffic decline, which also lowered revenues for 4Q20, as well as the loss from the foreign exchange conversion effect of Ps. 420.2 million.

In 4Q20, net income decreased by Ps. 1.0 billion, or 76.2% compared to 4Q19. Income taxes decreased by Ps. 266.1 million, or 83.3%, due to a decline of Ps. 460.7 million in income tax incurred, which was offset by a decrease in the benefit for the deferred tax for Ps. 194.6 million, mainly due to a lower inflation rate 4Q20, that went from 1.9% in 4Q19 to 1.0% in 4Q20.

Revenues (12M20 vs. 12M19)

• Aeronautical services revenues decreased by Ps. 3.3 billion, or 31.5%.
• Non-aeronautical services revenues decreased by Ps. 1.3 billion, or 35.1%.
• Revenues from improvements to concession assets increased by Ps. 285.8 million, or 15.0%.
• Total revenues decreased by Ps. 4.4 billion, or 26.9%.

• Aeronautical services revenues include:
  
  
  1. Revenues from the Mexican airports decreased by Ps. 2.7 billion or 30.6%, for the twelve-month period of 2020, generated mainly by a 42.5% decrease in passenger traffic, partially offset by the higher passenger fees applicable in 2020.
     
     
  2. Revenues from the Montego Bay airport decreased by Ps. 816.3 million, or 54.0%, compared to 2019. This was mainly due to a 65.8% decrease in passenger traffic. This decline was offset by the higher passenger fees applicable in 2020 and the 11.6% depreciation of the Mexican peso against the U.S. dollar during 2020.
     
     
  3. The consolidation of aeronautical revenues from the Kingston airport contributed Ps. 212.7 million to revenues, given that in 2019, only the fourth quarter was considered, which is when the Company assumed control of this airport.
     
     
• The decrease in non-aeronautical services revenues was as follows:
  
  
  1. The Mexican airports decreased by Ps. 1.2 billion, or 36.7%, compared to 2019, mainly due to a decrease in revenues from businesses operated by third parties, which declined by Ps. 649.7 million, or 33.2%, because of the decrease in revenues from food and beverage, duty-free stores, time shares, car rentals, retail, and land transportation, which jointly declined by Ps. 628.8 million, or 37.9%. Businesses operated directly by the Company declined by Ps. 433.3 million, or 44.0%, mainly due to a decrease in revenues from car parking, VIP lounges, advertising, and convenience stores. The recovery of costs declined by Ps. 72.9 million, or 35.4%.
     
     
  2. Revenues from the Montego Bay airport decreased by Ps. 258.2 million, or 44.1% compared to 2019, mainly due to the decline in passenger traffic.
     
     
  3. The consolidation of the Kingston airport contributed Ps. 90.7 million to non-aeronautical revenue.
     

- Revenues from improvements to concession assets ²
Revenues from improvements to concession assets (IFRIC-12) increased by Ps. 285.8 million, or 15.0%, compared to 2019, mainly due to an increase in the Mexican airports of Ps. 232.0 million, or 13.1%, given that 2020 marked the beginning of the 2020-2024 Master Development Program and represented the most significant committed investment amounts to date. This also includes an increase of Ps. 51.4 million in the Kingston airport and an increase of Ps. 2.4 million or 1.8% in the Montego airport, compared to 2019.

Total operating costs decreased by Ps. 162.4 million, or 2.0%, compared to 2019, mainly due to the decrease in the concession taxes and the technical assistance fees, by 582.3 million. This was offset by an increase of Ps. 285.8 million, or 15.0% in the cost of improvements to the concession assets (IFRIC-12), among others. At the Kingston airport, operating costs increased by Ps. 452.5 million, given that in 2019 only the fourth quarter was considered, when the Company assumed control of this airport. Excluding the above, operating costs declined by Ps. 614.9 million, or 7.7%, compared to 2019, due to the measures implemented to control costs and mitigate the effects of the pandemic on the operating results.

Mexican Airports:

• Operating costs decreased by Ps. 262.9 million, or 4.1%, compared to 2019, mainly due to a decrease in the technical assistance fees and concession taxes of Ps. 365.4 million, or 34.5%, jointly, in addition to the lower cost of services for Ps. 216.4 million, or 9.8%. This effect was offset by the increase in costs of improvements to the concession assets (IFRIC-12) of Ps. 232.0 million, and the increase in the depreciation and amortization of Ps. 103.7 million, or 7.5%, among others. Excluding the IFRIC-12 effect, operating costs declined by Ps. 494.9 million in 2020 .
  

The decline in the cost of services was mainly due to the following:

• Maintenance costs decreased by Ps. 155.4 million, or 31.8%, due to the partial closure of operational areas and decline in non-essential maintenance beginning in 2Q20.
• Other operating expenses decreased by Ps. 58.6 million, or 14.0%, compared to 2019, mainly due to the decline in cost of sales in the VIP lounges and convenience stores, professional service fees, travel expenses, advertising costs and expenses for FBO services, jointly for Ps. 121.7 million, or 21.1%, which was offset by the expected credit losses, as well as supplies and donations related to COVID-19, that jointly totaled Ps. 59.1 million, or 75.5%.
• Utilities decreased by Ps. 33.6 million, or 12.9%, due to the partial closing of operating areas, thereby lowering energy consumption beginning 2Q20 for Ps. 45.3 million, offset by an increase in water consumption for Ps. 15.3 million.
• Security and insurance decreased by Ps. 21.9 million, or 6.8%, compared to 2019, mainly due to the decrease in the security personnel as a result of the partial closing of some operating areas.
• Personnel expenses increased by Ps. 53.1 million, or 7.4%, due to the personnel increases that took place in the first months of 2020, and which was offset by the voluntary early retirement program launched by the Company as part of an organizational restructuring due to the pandemic and which took place in 3Q20, which was for approximately Ps. 20.2 million.
  

Montego Bay Airport:

• Operating costs decreased by Ps. 352.1 million , or 21.9%, compared to 2019, mainly due to the decrease in concession taxes of Ps. 403.3 million, and the cost of service of Ps. 66.4 million. These effects were offset by the increase in depreciation and amortization of Ps. 112.3 million, or 28.1%, and the increase for the costs related to improvements to the concession assets (IFRIC-12) for Ps. 2.4 million.
  

Kingston Airport:

• The consolidation of the Kingston airport resulted in an increase in expenses of Ps. 452.5 million in 2020, which was mainly comprised of an increase in concession taxes of Ps. 186.5 million, cost of services for Ps. 206.7 million, costs of improvements to the concession assets (IFRIC-12) for Ps. 51.4 million and depreciation and amortization of Ps. 8.2 million, among others, given that in 2019, only the fourth quarter was considered, when the Company assumed control of this airport.
  

Operating margin went from 49.4% in 2019 to 32.2% in 2020. Excluding the effects of IFRIC-12, operating margin went from 56.1% in 2019 to 39.6% in 2020.

EBITDA margin went from 60.4% in 2019 to 49.0% in 2020. Excluding the effects of IFRIC-12, EBITDA margin went from 68.4% in 2019 to 60.2% in 2020. The nominal value of EBITDA was Ps. 5.8 billion for the twelve months of 2020 .

The net financial result increased by Ps. 763.1 million, from a net expense of Ps. 671.1 million in 2019 to a net expense of Ps. 1.4 billion in 2020. This increase was mainly the result of:

• Foreign exchange rate fluctuations, which went from a Ps. 88.8 million gain in 2019 to a net expense of Ps. 330.5 million in 2020, mainly due to a 4.3% appreciation of the Mexican peso against the U.S. dollar in December 2019, compared to a depreciation of 5.9% at the end of December 2020, thereby generating an increase in the foreign exchange gain of Ps. 419.3 million. The currency translation effect represented a higher gain of Ps. 849.7 million, compared to 2019 and is reflected in the comprehensive income.
  
  
• An increase in interest expenses of Ps. 146.7 million , compared to 2019, mainly due to higher debt derived from the issuance of long-term bonds and bank debt during 2020.
  
  
• Interest income decreased by Ps. 199.3 million, or 26.0%, mainly due to the reduction in the investment rates, and the currency mix in cash and equivalents, an average of 60.0% in dollars and 40.0% in pesos, while in 2019 the average cash balance was 60.0% in pesos, with significantly higher interest rates.
  

Comprehensive income decreased by Ps. 2.8 billion, or 56.4%, compared to 2019. This was mainly due to the substantial decline in passenger traffic, which also impacted revenues for the period.

Net income decreased by Ps. 3.5 billion, or 64.8% in 2020, due to a lower operating revenue of Ps. 4.2 billion, which was offset by lower income taxes of Ps. 1.4 billion, or 75.3%, driven by a decrease of Ps. 1.3 billion in the income tax incurred, as well as the increase of Ps. 91.1 million in the benefit from deferred income tax, due to the decline in accumulated inflation, that went from 2.8% in 2019 to 3.2% inflation in 2020.

Statement of Financial Position

Total assets as of December 31, 2020 increased by Ps. 9.8 billion compared to 2019, primarily due to the following items: (i) cash and equivalents of Ps. 6.9 billion; (ii) improvements to concession assets of Ps. 1.7 billion; (iii) recoverable tax on assets and other assets of Ps. 747.7 million; and (iv) an increase in deferred taxes of Ps. 317.4 million, among others.

Total liabilities as of December 31, 2020 increased by Ps. 7.6 billion compared to the same period of 2019. This increase was primarily due to the following items: (i) payment and issuance of Ps. 5.0 billion (net) in long-term bonds, (ii) bank loans of Ps. 2.9 billion; and (iii) derivative financial instruments of Ps. 485.1 million. This was offset by: (i) guaranteed deposits for Ps. 447.4 million, and (ii) taxes payable for Ps. 122.1 million, among others.

Recent Events

• On January 19, 2021, the Company paid down the credit line with Scotiabank for US$ 95.5 million, that matured on the same date, through the loan that it had previously contracted with this institution, for a term of 36 months, an annual fixed rate of 2.063% and a structuring fee of 30 basis points, principal payment due upon maturity.
  
  
• On February 2, 2021, the Company paid down its loan with BBVA for US$ 95.5 million, that matured on the same date, through the loan that it had previously contracted with this institution, for a term of 36 months, a fixed annual rate of 1.97% and an upfront fee of 60 basis points, principal payment due upon maturity.
  
  
• On February 24, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors instructed Management, in accordance with the approval of the share repurchase fund for Ps. 1.5 billion at the General Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting that took place on July 1, 2020, to re-initiate the buy-back program for the Company’s own shares from time to time, considering domestic and global conditions, opportunity of investment, as well as the confidence in our own business performance, its growth potential and asset strength. There are currently 525,575,547 shares outstanding and 35,424,453 shares in treasury. The Company will keep the market updated with regards to the repurchase of the Company’s shares, acquired at the discretion of management, per applicable regulations as well as market conditions.
  

Company Description

Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, S.A.B. de C.V. (GAP) operates 12 airports throughout Mexico’s Pacific region, including the major cities of Guadalajara and Tijuana, the four tourist destinations of Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, La Paz and Manzanillo, and six other mid-sized cities: Hermosillo, Guanajuato, Morelia, Aguascalientes, Mexicali and Los Mochis. In February 2006, GAP’s shares were listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “PAC” and on the Mexican Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “GAP”. In April 2015, GAP acquired 100% of Desarrollo de Concesiones Aeroportuarias, S.L., which owns a majority stake in MBJ Airports Limited, a company operating Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica. In October 2018, GAP entered into a concession agreement for the operation of the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, Jamaica and took control of the operation in October 2019.

In accordance with Section 806 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and article 42 of the “Ley del Mercado de Valores”, GAP has implemented a “whistleblower” program, which allows complainants to anonymously and confidentially report suspected activities that may involve criminal conduct or violations. The telephone number in Mexico, facilitated by a third party that is in charge of collecting these complaints, is 01 800 563 00 47. The web site is www.lineadedenuncia.com/gap . GAP’s Audit Committee will be notified of all complaints for immediate investigation.