VLRS - Volaris Reports Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter 2023: Net Income of USD $112 million

MEXICO CITY, Feb. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: VLRS and BMV: VOLAR) (“Volaris” or “the Company”), the ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) serving Mexico, the United States, Central, and South America, today announces its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2023 ¹ .

Fourth Quarter 2023 Highlights
(All figures are reported in U.S. dollars and compared to 4Q 2022 unless otherwise noted)

• Net income of $112 million. Earnings per share of $0.10 and earnings per ADS of $0.97 cents.
• Total operating revenues of $899 million, a 10% increase.
• Total revenue per available seat mile (TRASM) increased 11% to $9.56 cents.
• Available seat miles (ASMs) decreased 1.1% to 9.4 billion.
• Total operating expenses of $735 million, representing 82% of total operating revenue.
• Total operating expenses per available seat mile (CASM) decreased 2.3% to $7.81 cents.
• Average economic fuel cost decreased 16% to $3.13 per gallon.
• CASM ex fuel increased 11% to $4.86 cents.
• EBITDAR of $281 million, a 35% increase.
• EBITDAR margin was 31.3%, an increase of 6.0 percentage points.
• Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and short-term investments totaled $789 million, representing 24% of the last twelve months’ total operating revenue.
• Net debt-to-LTM EBITDAR ² ratio decreased to 3.4x, compared to 3.9x in 2022.

Enrique Beltranena, President & Chief Executive Officer, said: “Throughout 2023, we gained valuable lessons when resizing the operations, capitalizing on strong demand while adjusting our network, and turned a very complex situation into a solid financial result for the fourth quarter. We recorded our highest-ever historical quarterly TRASM and posted a net income of $112 million. Our performance demonstrated resilience in the face of the challenges encountered throughout the year, such as the extended FAA downgrade of Mexico to CAT 2, Pratt & Whitney's engine preventive accelerated inspections, and slot reductions at the Mexico City International Airport. Our proactive strategies and mitigation plan have proven effective.

Looking ahead, 2024 holds promise, as our booking curves and total unit revenues indicate continuing favorable trends aligned with our guidance. We expect that our focus on operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and prudent capacity management will continue to drive profitability.”

Full Year 2023 Highlights ³
(All figures are reported in U.S. dollars and compared to FY 2022 unless otherwise noted)

• Net income of $8 million. Earnings per share of $0.01 and earnings per ADS of $0.07.
• Total operating revenues of $3,259 million, a 14% increase.
• Total revenue per available seat mile (TRASM) increased 3.8% to $8.38 cents.
• Available seat miles (ASMs) increased 10% to 38.9 billion.
• Total operating expenses of $3,036 million, representing 93% of total operating revenue.
• Total operating expenses per available seat mile (CASM ) decreased 1.7% to $7.81 cents.
• Average economic fuel cost decreased 18% to $3.11 per gallon.
• CASM ex fuel increased 13% to $4.81 cents.
• EBITDAR of $823 million, a 40% increase.
• EBITDAR margin was 25.2%, an increase of 4.7 percentage points.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Financial and Operations Highlights ³
(All figures are reported in U.S. dollars and compared to 4Q 2022 and FY 2022 unless otherwise noted)

Reconciliation of CASM to Adjusted CASM ex fuel:

Fourth Quarter 2023

Total operating revenues in the quarter were $899 million, a 10% increase, driven by an improved load factor and increased adoption of ancillary offerings.

Booked passengers amounted to 8.2 million in the quarter, a decrease of 2.7%. Domestic booked passengers decreased 7.7%, while international booked passengers increased 17%.

Total capacity, in terms of available seat miles (ASMs) , decreased 1.1% to 9.4 billion.

The load factor for the quarter reached 88.1%, representing an increase of 0.8 percentage points compared to the same period in 2022.

TRASM increased 11% to $9.56 cents in the quarter and total operating revenue per passenger stood at $109, representing a 13% increase.

The average base fare was $54, a decline of 2.3%. The total ancillary revenue per passenger was $55, a 32% increase. Ancillary revenue represented 50% of total operating revenue, 7.6 percentage points above the fourth quarter 2022.

Total operating expenses in the quarter were $735 million, representing 82% of total operating revenue, compared to 93% in the fourth quarter of 2022.

CASM totaled $7.81 cents, a 2.3% decrease when compared to the same period of 2022. The average economic fuel cost decreased 16% to $3.13 per gallon in the period.

CASM ex fuel increased 11% to $4.86 cents. These increases were mainly caused by higher fleet depreciation, reduced capacity, and a stronger Mexican peso; partially offset by lower redelivery costs due to lease extensions and the compensation from Pratt & Whitney.

Comprehensive financing result represented an expense of $35 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to a $38 million expense in the same period of 2022. For the period, the average exchange rate was Ps.17.58 per U.S. dollar, a 11% appreciation compared to the same quarter of 2022. At the end of the fourth quarter, the exchange rate stood at Ps.16.89 per U.S. dollar.

Income tax expense for the quarter was $17 million, compared to $44 million registered in the same period of 2022.

Net income in the quarter was $112 million, with an earnings per share of $0.10 and an earnings per ADS of $0.97 cents.

EBITDAR for the quarter was $281 million, an increase of 35% compared to the same period in 2022, primarily attributable to higher unit revenues and lower fuel prices. EBITDAR margin stood at 31.3%, an increase of 6.0 percentage points compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

Cash Flow

Net cash flow provided by operating activities in the quarter was $218 million. Net cash flow used in financing and investing activities was $82 million and $113 million, respectively.

Full Year 2023

Total operating revenues were $3,259 million, an increase of 14% compared to 2022.

Volaris transported 33.5 million passengers , an increase of 7.9%, while total capacity for the year, in terms of available seat miles (ASMs) , increased 10% to 38.9 billion.

Load factor reached 86.0%, an increase of 0.4 percentage points compared to 2022.

TRASM increased 3.8% to $8.38 cents. Average base fare was $49, a 7.9% decrease and total operating revenue per passenger stood at $97, representing an increase of 6.1%.

Ancillary revenue per passenger was $48, posting a 26% increase and represented 49% of total operating revenues.

Volaris posted total operating expenses of $3,036 million, representing 93% of total operating revenue,
compared to 98% in 2022.

CASM decreased 1.7% to $7.81 cents. The average economic fuel cost of $3.11 per gallon, a 18% decrease compared to 2022 levels. CASM ex fuel increased 13% to $4.81 cents.

The comprehensive financing result for the full year 2023 amounted to an expense of $215 million, compared to the $176 million expense posted in 2022. The average exchange rate was Ps.17.76 per US dollar, a 12% appreciation compared to 2022. At the end of the period, the exchange rate stood at Ps.16.89 per US dollar.

The Company recorded an income tax benefit for the full year 2023 of $0.4 million, compared to an income tax benefit of $52 million registered in 2022.

For the full year 2023, Volaris reported a net income o f $8 million, with an earnings per share of $0.01 and earnings per ADS of $0.07.

Volaris registered an EBITDAR of $823 million, a 40% increase compared to 2022. EBITDAR margin was 25.2%, an increase of 4.7 percentage points.

Balance Sheet, Liquidity and Capital Allocation

As of December 31, 2023, cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments were $789 million, representing 24% of the last twelve months total operating revenue.

Net cash flow provided by operating activities was $730 million, while cash used in investing and
financing activities were $462 million and $214 million, respectively.

The financial debt amounted to $653 million, while total lease liabilities stood at $2,906 million, bringing the net debt to $2,770 million.

Net debt-to-LTM EBITDAR ⁷ ratio stood at 3.4x, compared to 3.9x in 2022 and 3.5x in the third quarter of 2023.

2024 Guidance

For the first quarter of 2024, the Company expects:

For the full year 2024, the Company expects:

The first quarter and full year 2024 outlook presented above includes the compensation that Volaris expects to receive for the projected grounded aircraft resulting from the GTF engine removals, in accordance with the Company’s agreement with Pratt & Whitney that was previously announced on December 5, 2023.

The Company's outlook is subject to unforeseen disruptions, macroeconomic factors, or other negative impacts that may affect its business, and is based on several assumptions, including the foregoing, which are subject to change and may be outside the control of the Company and its management. The Company's expectations may change if actual results vary from these assumptions. There can be no assurances that Volaris will achieve these results.

Fleet

During the fourth quarter, Volaris added four A321neo aircraft to its fleet, bringing the total number of aircraft to 129 as of December 31 ^st , 2023. At the end of the year, Volaris’ fleet has an average age of 5.7 years and an average seating capacity of 196 passengers per aircraft. Of the total fleet, 59% of the aircraft are New Engine Option (NEO) models.

The information included in this release, including the Company’s full-year 2023 financial information, has not been audited and reflects the Company’s current estimates based on information available as of the date of this release. Such information is subject to change as a result of the completion of the Company’s financial and operating closing procedures, customary audit procedures, and other developments that may occur before the completion of these procedures. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on this preliminary information or guidance, which may differ materially from actual results. Volaris’ future performance depends on several factors. It cannot be inferred that any period’s performance or its comparison year over year will indicate a similar performance in the future.

Investors are urged to carefully read the Company’s periodic reports filed with or provided to the Securities and Exchange Commission, for additional information regarding the Company.

Investor Relations Contact

Ricardo Martínez / ir@volaris.com

Media Contact
Israel Álvarez / ialvarez@gcya.net

Conference Call Details

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, Central, and South America. Volaris offers low base fares to build its market, providing quality service and extensive customer choice. Since the beginning of operations in March 2006, Volaris has increased its routes from 5 to more than 211 and its fleet from 4 to 133 aircraft. Volaris offers more than 550 daily flight segments on routes that connect 43 cities in Mexico and 28 cities in the United States, Central, and South America, with one of the youngest fleets in Mexico. Volaris targets passengers who are visiting friends and relatives, cost-conscious business and leisure travelers in Mexico, the United States, Central, and South America. Volaris has received the ESR Award for Social Corporate Responsibility for fourteen consecutive years. For more information, please visit ir.volaris.com. Volaris routinely posts information that may be important to investors on its investor relations website. The Company encourages investors and potential investors to consult the Volaris website regularly for important information about Volaris.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this release contain various forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which represent the Company's expectations, beliefs, or projections concerning future events and financial trends affecting the financial condition of our business. When used in this release, the words "expects," “intends,” "estimates," “predicts,” "plans," "anticipates," "indicates," "believes," "forecast," "guidance," “potential,” "outlook," "may," “continue,” "will," "should," "seeks," "targets" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Similarly, statements describing the Company's objectives, plans or goals, or actions the Company may take in the future are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's first quarter and full year 2024 outlook, maintenance of its full year 2023 guidance, expectation to receive certain compensation in connection with the GTF engine removals and anticipated execution of its business plan and focus on its 2024 priorities. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee or assurance of future performance or results. They will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at or by which such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made and/or management’s good faith belief as of that time concerning future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to several 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 revenue; and government regulation. The Company's US Securities and Exchange Commission filings contain additional information concerning these and other factors. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements set forth above. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information except to the extent required by applicable law. If we update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

Supplemental Information on Non-GAAP Measures

We evaluate our financial performance by using various financial measures that are not performance measures under International Financial Reporting Standards (“non-IFRS measures”). These non-IFRS measures include CASM, CASM ex-fuel, Adjusted CASM ex-fuel, EBITDAR, Net debt-to-LTM EBITDAR, Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and short-term investments. We define CASM as total operating expenses by available seat mile. We define CASM ex-fuel as total operating expenses by available seat mile, excluding fuel expense. We define Adjusted CASM ex fuel as total operating expenses by available seat mile, excluding fuel expense, aircraft and engine variable lease expenses and sale and lease back gains. We define EBITDAR as earnings before interest, income tax, depreciation and amortization, depreciation of right of use assets and aircraft and engine variable lease expenses. We define Net debt-to-LTM EBITDAR as Net debt divided by LTM EBITDAR. We define Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and short-term investments as the sum of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and short-term investments.

These non-IFRS measures are provided as supplemental information to the financial information presented in this release that is calculated and presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) because we believe that they, in conjunction with the IFRS financial information, provide useful information to management’s, analysts and investors overall understanding of our operating performance.

Because non-IFRS measures are not calculated in accordance with IFRS, they should not be considered superior to and are not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related IFRS measures presented in this release and may not be the same as or comparable to
similarly titled measures presented by other companies due to possible differences in the method of calculation and the items being adjusted.

We encourage investors to review our financial statements and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission in their entirety for additional information regarding the Company and not to rely on any single financial measure.

¹ The financial information, unless otherwise indicated, is presented in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
² Includes short-term investments.
³ As of January 1, 2022, all figures are reported in U.S. dollars.
Note: Figures are rounded for convenience purposes. Further detail can be found in financial and operating indicators.
³ As of January 1, 2022, all figures are reported in U.S. dollars.
⁴ Excludes fuel expense, aircraft and engine variable lease expenses and sale and lease-back gains.
⁵ Includes short-term investments.
⁶ Aircraft redeliveries.
⁷ Includes short-term investments.