OREANDA-NEWS. 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 fourth quarter and full year 2017.

The following financial information, unless otherwise indicated, is presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2017 Highlights

  • Total operating revenues were Ps.6,626 million and Ps.24,845 million for the fourth quarter and full year, an increase of 2.4% and 5.7% year over year, respectively.
  • Non-ticket revenues were Ps.1,884 million and Ps. 7,054 million for the fourth quarter and full year, an increase of 17.4% and 23.3% year over year, respectively. Non-ticket revenues per passenger for the fourth quarter and full year were Ps.446 and Ps.429, increasing 10.2% and 12.6% year over year, respectively. Non-ticket revenues represent 28.4% of the total operating revenues for the fourth quarter.
  • Total operating revenues per available seat mile (TRASM) were Ps.135.4 cents and Ps.131.7 for the fourth quarter and full year, a decrease of 6.0% and 6.4% year over year, respectively.
  • Operating expenses per available seat mile (CASM) were Ps.133.0 cents and Ps.131.6 cents for the fourth quarter and full year, a decrease of 0.4% and increase of 5.8% year over year, respectively; with an average economic fuel cost per gallon were Ps.37.0 and Ps.34.5 for the fourth quarter and full year, an increase of 6.9% and 18.1% year over year, respectively.
  • Operating expenses excluding fuel, per available seat mile (CASM ex fuel) were Ps.92.7 cents and Ps.93.2 cents for the fourth quarter and full year, a decrease of 1.0% and increase of 3.5% year over year, respectively.
  • Operating income was Ps.118 million and Ps.19 million for the fourth quarter and full year, a decrease of 75.1% and 99.3% year over year, respectively. Operating margin for the fourth quarter and full year was 1.8% and 0.1%, a decrease in margin of 5.5 percentage points and 11.6 percentage points year over year, respectively.
  • Net income was Ps.555 million (Ps.0.55 per share / US$0.28 per ADS) and a net loss of Ps.595 million (Ps.(0.59) per share / US$(0.30) per ADS) for the fourth quarter and full year, respectively, with a net margin of 8.4% and (2.4%) for the fourth quarter and full year, respectively.
  • Net increase in cash flow provided by operating activities were Ps.1,116 million and Ps.986 million for the fourth quarter and full year, respectively. Year over year the cash and cash equivalents for the fourth quarter and full year increase Ps.1,578 million and decrease Ps.120 million, respectively; despite the net foreign exchange differences represent an increase of Ps.448 million and decrease of Ps.244 million for the fourth quarter and full year, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, unrestricted cash and cash equivalents were Ps.6,951 million.

Volaris? CEO Enrique Beltranena commented: “During 2017, Volaris faced a challenging year with factors ranging from the macroeconomic environment to softer demand environment. We continue prudently managing capacity and executing our ULCC model to stimulate market demand. We are absolutely committed to continue driving unit costs down which enables us to offer the most competitive fares in the market”.

Stable Macroeconomics and Exchange Rate Appreciation Partially Offset Fuel Price Pressures

  • Stable macroeconomics and domestic consumer demand: The macroeconomic indicators in Mexico during full year are stable, with same store sales1 increasing 4.5% year over year; remittances2 increasing in fourth quarter and full year 8.2% and 6.6% year over year, respectively; and the Mexican General Economic Activity Indicator3 (IGAE) increasing 0.9% and 1.7% year over year in October and November of 2017, respectively.
  • Air traffic volume increase: The Mexican DGAC reported overall passenger volume growth for Mexican carriers of 6.7% year over year for the fourth quarter; domestic overall passenger volume increased 4.8%, while international overall passenger volume increased 13.3%.
  • Exchange rate volatility: The Mexican peso appreciated 4.5% year over year against the U.S. dollar, from an average exchange rate of Ps.19.83 pesos per US dollar in the fourth quarter 2016 to Ps.18.93 pesos per U.S. dollar during the fourth quarter 2017.
  • Higher fuel prices: The average economic fuel cost per gallon increased 6.9% and 18.1% year over year to Ps.37.0 per gallon (US$1.9) and Ps.34.5 per gallon (US$1.7) in the fourth quarter and full year, respectively.

Strengthened ULCC Model with Further Non-Ticket Revenue Growth

  • Passenger traffic stimulation: Volaris booked 4.2 million passengers in the fourth quarter 2017 and 16.4 million passengers in full year 2017, up 6.5% and 9.5% year over year. Volaris traffic (measured in terms of revenue passenger miles, or RPMs) increased 7.1% and 11.1% for the same period, respectively. System load factor during the quarter and full year decreased 1.5 percentage points and 1.4 percentage points to 82.6% and 84.4% year over year, respectively.
  • Non-ticket revenue growth: Non-ticket revenues for the fourth quarter and full year 2017 increased 17.4% and 23.3% year over year, respectively. Non-ticket revenues per passenger for the fourth quarter of 2017 and full year increased 10.2% and 12.6% year over year, respectively. Non-ticket revenue generation continues to grow with improved revenues from first checked bag fees for international flights, and better uptakes of ancillary combos. Non-ticket revenues represent 28.4% of the total operating revenues for the quarter.
  • Competitive market environment pressured yields partially offset by non-ticket revenue: For the fourth quarter and full year, yield decreased 9.0% and 10.0% year over year, respectively. For the fourth quarter and full year, TRASM decreased 6.0% and 6.4% year over year, respectively. During the fourth quarter and full year, the total capacity, in terms of ASMs, increased 9.0% and 12.9% year over year, respectively.
  • New routes: In the fourth quarter 2017, Volaris began operations in four new domestic routes ( Huatulco, Oaxaca to Monterrey, Nuevo Leon; Cozumel, Quintana Roo to Monterrey, Nuevo Leon; Monterrey, Nuevo Leon to Mexicali Baja California and Morelia, Michoacan to Mexicali, Baja California) and nine new international routes (Chicago O’Hare to Huatulco, Oaxaca; Chicago O’Hare to Zihuatanejo, Guerrero; Los Angeles, California to Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco; Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala to Tijuana, Baja California; San Salvador, El Salvador to Tijuana, Baja California; Fresno, California to Morelia Michoacan; San Jose, California to Morelia Michoacan; San Jose, California to Zacatecas, Zacatecas and Los Angeles, California to Acapulco, Guerrero).

Cost Control and Discipline, Despite Fuel Price Pressure

  • CASM and CASM ex fuel for the fourth quarter were Ps. 133.0 (US$6.7 cents) and Ps.92.7 cents (US$4.7 cents), respectively. These represented decreases of 0.4% and 1.0%, respectively; mainly driven by tightening cost controls and average exchange rate appreciation of 4.5%. At the end of the fourth quarter, the Mexican peso also depreciated 8.4% with respect to the end of previous quarter, leading to a net exchange rate gain of Ps.784 million as result of our U.S. dollar net monetary asset position.

Youngest and Most Fuel-efficient Fleet in Mexico

  • During the fourth quarter 2017, the Company incorporated four A320NEO to its fleet. As of December 31, 2017, Volaris’ fleet was composed of 71 aircraft (12 A319s, 49 A320s and 10 A321s), with an average age of 4.6 years, the youngest fleet among Mexican carriers and one of the youngest fleet in the Americas. At the end of the fourth quarter 2017, Volaris’ fleet had an average of 180 seats, 65% of which were in sharklet-equipped aircraft.

Solid Balance Sheet and Good Liquidity

  • As of December 31, 2017, cash and cash equivalents were Ps.6,951 million, representing 28% of last twelve months operating revenues. Volaris registered negative net debt (or a positive net cash position) of Ps.3,468 million and total equity of Ps.10,163 million.

Active in Fuel Risk Management

  • Volaris’ fuel risk management program provided protection from fuel prices increases, with 59% of its fourth quarter fuel consumption hedged, at an average strike price of US$1.40 per gallon, and resulting in a positive net settlement of Ps.102.9 million for the quarter. This hedged portion, combined with the 41% unhedged consumption, resulted in a blended average economic fuel cost of US$1.87 per gallon.

Codeshare Agreement with Frontier

  • On January 16, 2018, Volaris and Frontier Airlines (Frontier) signed the first codeshare agreement in history between two ultra-low-cost airlines. Volaris customers will gain access to new cities in the U.S. beyond our current destinations, and Frontier customers will gain first-time access to new destinations in Mexico. Volaris currently serves 24 destinations in the U.S. and 40 in Mexico, of which 21 coincide with Frontier destinations in both countries. With this codeshare, Volaris and Frontier will offer customers the ability to purchase the lowest fares across an extensive and well-served network.

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.

About Volaris:

*Controladora Vuela Compa??a de Aviaci?n, 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 173 and its fleet from four to 71 aircraft. Volaris offers more than 323 daily flight segments on routes that connect 40 cities in Mexico and 27 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 eight consecutive years. 

                           

Controladora Vuela Compa??a de Aviaci?n, S.A.B. de C.V. and Subsidiaries
Financial and Operating Indicators

 
                           

Unaudited
(In Mexican pesos, except otherwise indicated)

   

Three months
ended December
31, 2017
(US Dollars)*

   

Three months
ended December
31, 2017

   

Three months
ended December
31, 2016

   

Varianc
(%)

 
                 
Total operating revenues (millions)     336     6,626     6,469     2.4%  
Total operating expenses (millions)     330     6,508     5,995     8.5%  
Operating income (millions)     6     118     473     (75.1%)  
Operating margin     1.8%     1.8%     7.3%     (5.5) pp  
Depreciation and amortization     7     131     142     (7.8%)  
Aircraft and engine rent expense     82     1,612     1,592     1.3%  
Net income (millions)     28     555     973     (42.9%)  
Net income margin     8.4%     8.4%     15.0%     (6.6) pp  
Earnings per share:                          
Basic (pesos)     0.03     0.55     0.96     (42.9%)  
Diluted (pesos)     0.03     0.55     0.96     (42.9%)  
Earnings per ADS:                          
Basic (pesos)     0.28     5.49     9.62     (42.9%)  
Diluted (pesos)     0.28     5.49     9.62     (42.9%)  
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)     -     4,895     4,490     9.0%  
Domestic     -     3,361     3,083     9.0%  
International     -     1,533     1,407     9.0%  
Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) (millions) (1)     -     4,042     3,773     7.1%  
Domestic     -     2,889     2,634     9.7%  
International     -     1,153     1,139     1.2%  
Load factor (2)     -     82.6%     84.1%     (1.5) pp  
Domestic     -     85.9%     85.5%     0.4 pp  
International     -     75.2%     81.0%     (5.8) pp  
Total operating revenue per ASM (TRASM) (cents) (1)     6.9     135.4     144.1     (6.0%)  
Passenger revenue per ASM (RASM) (cents) (1)     4.9     96.9     108.3     (10.6%)  
Passenger revenue per RPM (Yield) (cents) (1)     5.9     117.3     128.9     (9.0%)  
Average fare (2)     57     1,123     1,228     (8.5%)  
Non-ticket revenue per passenger (1)     22.6     446     404     10.2%  
Operating expenses per ASM (CASM) (cents) (1)     6.7     133.0     133.5     (0.4%)  
Operating expenses per ASM (CASM) (US cents) (1)     -     6.7     6.5     4.3%  
CASM ex fuel (cents) (1)     4.7     92.7     93.6     (1.0%)  
CASM ex fuel (US cents) (1)     -     4.7     4.5     3.7%  
Booked passengers (thousands) (1)     -     4,226     3,967     6.5%  
Departures (1)     -     27,878     26,650     4.6%  
Block hours (1)     -     76,079     71,305     6.7%  
Fuel gallons consumed (millions)     -     53.3     51.9     2.8%  
Average economic fuel cost per gallon     1.87     37.0     34.6     6.9%  
Aircraft at end of period     -     71     69     2.9%  
Average aircraft utilization (block hours)     -     12.8     12.6     1.8%  
Average exchange rate     -     18.93     19.83     (4.5%)  
End of period exchange rate     -     19.74     20.66     (4.5%)  
*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 Compa??a de Aviaci?n, S.A.B. de C.V. and Subsidiaries
Financial and Operating Indicators

 
                           

Unaudited
(In Mexican pesos, except otherwise indicated)

   

Twelve months
ended December
31, 2017
(US Dollars)*

   

Twelve
months ended
December 31,
2017

   

Twelve
months ended
December 31,
2016

   

Variance
(%)

 
                 
Total operating revenues (millions)     1,259     24,845     23,512     5.7%  
Total operating expenses (millions)     1,258     24,827     20,773     19.5%  
Operating income (millions)     1     19     2,740     (99.3%)  
Operating margin     0.1%     0.1%     11.7%     (11.6) pp  
Depreciation and amortization     28     549     537     2.3%  
Aircraft and engine rent expense     308     6,073     5,590     8.6%  
Net (loss) income (millions)     (30)     (595)     3,519     NA  
Net (loss) income margin     (2.4%)     (2.4%)     15.0%     (17.4) pp  
(Loss) earnings per share:                          
Basic (pesos)     (0.03)     (0.59)     3.48     NA  
Diluted (pesos)     (0.03)     (0.59)     3.48     NA  
(Loss) earnings per ADS:                          
Basic (pesos)     (0.30)     (5.88)     34.78     NA  
Diluted (pesos)     (0.30)     (5.88)     34.78     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)     -     18,861     16,704     12.9%  
Domestic     -     12,740     11,595     9.9%  
International     -     6,121     5,109     19.8%  
Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) (millions) (1)     -     15,917     14,326     11.1%  
Domestic     -     11,054     10,008     10.5%  
International     -     4,863     4,318     12.6%  
Load factor (2)     -     84.4%     85.8%     (1.4) pp  
Domestic     -     86.8%     86.3%     0.5 pp  
International     -     79.4%     84.5%     (5.1) pp  
Total operating revenue per ASM (TRASM) (cents) (1)     6.7     131.7     140.8     (6.4%)  
Passenger revenue per ASM (RASM) (cents) (1)     4.8     94.3     106.5     (11.4%)  
Passenger revenue per RPM (Yield) (cents) (1)     5.7     111.8     124.2     (10.0%)  
Average fare (2)     55     1,086     1,189     (8.6%)  
Non-ticket revenue per passenger (1)     21.8     429     381     12.6%  
Operating expenses per ASM (CASM) (cents) (1)     6.7     131.6     124.4     5.8%  
Operating expenses per ASM (CASM) (US cents) (1)     -     6.7     6.0     10.8%  
CASM ex fuel (cents) (1)     4.7     93.2     90.0     3.5%  
CASM ex fuel (US cents) (1)     -     4.7     4.4     8.4%  
Booked passengers (thousands) (1)     -     16,427     15,005     9.5%  
Departures (1)     -     108,060     101,811     6.1%  
Block hours (1)     -     293,642     271,204     8.3%  
Fuel gallons consumed (millions)     -     210.5     196.7     7.0%  
Average economic fuel cost per gallon     1.75     34.5     29.2     18.1%  
Aircraft at end of period     -     71     69     2.9%  
Average aircraft utilization (block hours)     -     12.6     12.8     (1.8%)  
Average exchange rate     -     18.93     18.66     1.5%  
End of period exchange rate     -     19.74     20.66     (4.5%)  
*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 Compa??a de Aviaci?n, S.A.B. de C.V. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statement of Operations

 
                           
Unaudited
(In millions of Mexican pesos)
   

Three months ended
December 31, 2017
(US Dollars)*

   

Three months
ended December
31, 2017

   

Three months
ended December
31, 2016

   

Variance
(%)

 
                 
Operating revenues:                          
Passenger     240     4,742     4,864     (2.5%)  
Non-ticket     95     1,884     1,604     17.4%  
      336     6,626     6,469     2.4%  
                           
Other operating income     (4)     (78)     (127)     (38.5%)  
Fuel     100     1,972     1,794     9.9%  
Aircraft and engine rent expense     82     1,612     1,592     1.3%  
Landing, take-off and navigation expenses     50     981     866     13.3%  
Salaries and benefits     36     715     672     6.5%  
Sales, marketing and distribution expenses     24     479     437     9.6%  
Maintenance expenses     20     396     340     16.4%  
Other operating expenses     15     300     280     7.2%  
Depreciation and amortization     7     131     142     (7.8%)  
Operating expenses     330     6,508     5,995     8.5%  
                           
Operating income     6     118     473     (75.1%)  
                           
Finance income     2     33     22     52.5%  
Finance cost     (1)     (24)     (11)     >100%  
Exchange gain, net     40     784     855     (8.3%)  
Comprehensive financing result     40     793     866     (8.4%)  
                           
Income before income tax     46     911     1,339     (32.0%)  
Income tax expense     (18)     (356)     (366)     (2.8%)  
Net income     28     555     973     (42.9%)  
                           
*Peso amounts were converted to U.S. dollars at end of period exchange rate for convenience purposes only.  
   
                           

Controladora Vuela Compa??a de Aviaci?n, S.A.B. de C.V. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statement of Operations

 
                           

Unaudited
(In millions of Mexican pesos)

   

Twelve months
ended December
31, 2017
(US Dollars)*

   

Twelve months
ended December
31, 2017

   

Twelve months
ended December
31, 2016

   

Variance
(%)

 
                 
Operating revenues:                          
Passenger     901     17,791     17,790     0.0%  
Non-ticket     357     7,054     5,722     23.3%  
      1,259     24,845     23,512     5.7%  
                           
Other operating income     (5)     (97)     (497)     (80.5%)  
Fuel     368     7,256     5,741     26.4%  
Aircraft and engine rent expense     308     6,073     5,590     8.6%  
Landing, take-off and navigation expenses     203     4,010     3,272     22.6%  
Salaries and benefits     143     2,824     2,420     16.7%  
Sales, marketing and distribution expenses     86     1,692     1,413     19.7%  
Maintenance expenses     73     1,433     1,344     6.6%  
Other operating expenses     55     1,088     952     14.3%  
Depreciation and amortization     28     549     537     2.3%  
Operating expenses     1,258     24,827     20,773     19.5%  
                           
Operating income     1     19     2,740     (99.3%)  
                           
Finance income     5     106     103     3.1%  
Finance cost     (4)     (86)     (35)     >100%  
Exchange (loss) gain, net     (40)     (794)     2,170     NA  
Comprehensive financing result     (39)     (774)     2,237     NA  
                           
(Loss) income before income tax     (38)     (756)     4,977     NA  
Income tax benefit (expense)     8     161     (1,457)     NA  
Net (loss) income     (30)     (595)     3,519     NA  

*Peso amounts were converted to U.S. dollars at end of period exchange rate for convenience purposes only

 
   
                     

Controladora Vuela Compa??a de Aviaci?n, S.A.B. de C.V. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

 
                     
(In millions of Mexican pesos)    

December 31, 2017
Unaudited
(US Dollars)*

   

December 31, 2017
Unaudited

   

December 31, 2016

Audited

 
             
Assets                    
Cash and cash equivalents     352     6,951     7,071  
Accounts receivable     73     1,449     963  
Inventories     15     295     244  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets     39     768     1,563  
Financial instruments     25     497     544  
Guarantee deposits     69     1,353     1,167  
Total current assets     573     11,313     11,551  
Rotable spare parts, furniture and equipment, net     222     4,376     2,525  
Intangible assets, net     10     190     114  
Financial instruments     -     -     324  
Deferred income taxes     28     562     559  
Guarantee deposits     309     6,098     6,560  
Other assets     6     126     148  
Total non-current assets     575     11,353     10,231  
Total assets     1,149     22,666     21,782  
Liabilities                    
Unearned transportation revenue     110     2,162     2,154  
Accounts payable     57     1,118     927  
Accrued liabilities     104     2,051     1,785  
Other taxes and fees payable     63     1,245     1,476  
Income taxes payable     6     111     196  
Financial instruments     -     -     14  
Financial debt     122     2,404     1,051  
Other liabilities     14     281     284  
Total short-term liabilities     475     9,372     7,888  
Financial debt     55     1,079     943  
Accrued liabilities     10     200     170  
Other liabilities     11     217     137  
Employee benefits     1     19     13  
Deferred income taxes     82     1,616     1,837  
Total long-term liabilities     159     3,131     3,100  
Total liabilities     634     12,503     10,988  
Equity                    
Capital stock     151     2,974     2,974  
Treasury shares     (4)     (85)     (83)  
Contributions for future capital increases     -     -     -  
Legal reserve     15     291     38  
Additional paid-in capital     91     1,805     1,801  
Retained earnings     257     5,080     5,928  
Accumulated other comprehensive losses     5     99     137  
Total equity     515     10,163     10,794  
Total liabilities and equity     1,149     22,666     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 Compa??a de Aviaci?n, S.A.B. de C.V. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows – Cash Flow Data Summary

 
                     
Unaudited    

Three months ended
December 31, 2017

   

Three months
ended
December 31,
2017

   

Three months
ended
December 31,
2016

 
(In millions of Mexican pesos)     (US Dollars)*          
                     
Net cash flow provided by (used in) operating activities     57     1,116     (522)  
Net cash flow used in investing activities     (43)     (852)     (526)  
Net cash flow provided by financing activities     44     865     785  
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     57     1,130     (263)  
Net foreign exchange differences     23     448     341  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period     272     5,373     6,993  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period     352     6,951     7,071  
*Peso amounts were converted to U.S. dollars at end of period exchange rate for convenience purposes only  
   
                     
Unaudited
(In millions of Mexican pesos)
   

Twelve months
ended December 31,
2017
(US Dollars)*

   

Twelve months
ended
December 31,
2017

   

Twelve months
ended December
31, 2016

 
             
                     
Net cash flow provided by operating activities     50     986     979  
Net cash flow used in investing activities     (115)     (2,260)     (28)  
Net cash flow provided by financing activities     71     1,398     11  
Increase in cash and cash equivalents     6     124     962  
Net foreign exchange differences     (12)     (244)     952  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period     358     7,071     5,157  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period     352     6,951     7,071  
*Peso amounts were converted to U.S. dollars at end of period exchange rate for convenience purposes only  
   

1 Source: Asociaci?n Nacional de Tiendas de Autoservicio y Departamentales, A. C. (ANTAD)
2 Source: Banco de M?xico (BANXICO)
3 Source: Instituto Nacional de Estad?stica y Geograf?a (INEGI)