Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación Q3 2023 Earnings Call Transcript

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Provided by Quartr
October 25, 2023

There are 15 speakers on the call.

Operator

Through our loyalty based programs. Our affinity program with OXXO, the largest retailer in Mexico, is still in its early stages, and we envision it evolving into the largest platform in Mexico with Volaris as one of its cornerstones. Looking into the Q4, we see solid bookings across our network as we approach the holiday season, with demand trends largely resembling the ones we saw in the Q3. Regarding our network, Volaris saw 2 critical developments in the 3rd quarter with Mexico's recovery of Category 1 status and Pratt and Whitney's GTF engine inspection announcement. We were pleased to announce the recovery of Category 1 status on September 14, a significant milestone achieved over 2.5 years after the initial downgrade.

Operator

In the past month, we have diligently pursued regulatory authorizations to increase our flight frequencies between Mexico and the U. S. Additionally, our culture partnership with Frontier is set to resume in December. Although the GTF engine preventative accelerated inspections have affected our ability to reallocate aircraft for U. S.-bound routes more than anticipated.

Operator

We are on track to introduce 4 aircraft lines onto Mexico to U. S. Routes by December, representing a 19% increase in capacity compared to last year's levels. Our management team is also working to optimize our network for the parked aircraft expected in 2024 by identifying and reducing capacity along ramp up and underperforming routes. Looking to the next year, we will focus on prioritizing our most profitable routes.

Operator

While doing so, we will maintain a prudent approach to protecting Volaris' long term growth prospects. Our commitment involves preserving our leadership in our domestic core markets, while leveraging the Category 1 upgrade for routes to the U. S. Simultaneously, we plan to scale back certain trunk routes. Specifically, we will be reducing capacity on ramp up routes and at Mexico City International Airport in response to the aircraft movements reduction taking effect on January 8.

Operator

I will now turn the call over to Haile Paus to discuss the financial performance for the quarter.

Speaker 1

Thank you, Holger. For the Q3 of 2023, Volaris demonstrated financial performance that somewhat tracked behind our expectations. Total operating revenues came in at $848,000,000 a 10% increase compared to 2022, driven by sound demand across our network and ancillary revenue per passenger, which increased to $49 from $39 the previous year. However, this result was partially restrained by the impact of the preventive accelerated inspections of the GTF engines during September. TRASM was $0.0837 up 2% year over year.

Speaker 1

EBITDAR for the quarter totaled $207,000,000 an 18% increase over the prior year's quarter. EBITDA margin was 24.4 percent or an improvement of 1.6 percentage points from the Q3 of last year, favored by lower jet fuel prices and a stronger peso. Volaris posted an EBIT of $39,000,000 up 11% for an EBIT margin of 4.6%, flat versus 2022, our CASM ex fuel was $4.91 an increase of 21%. The primary factor driving this increase was a strong appreciation of the Mexican peso compared to the prior year. As a reminder, a stronger peso has a net positive impact on our operating margins.

Speaker 1

Still, it is a headwind for unit cost, given the translation of peso denominated cost into dollars in our consolidated P and L. The appreciation of the peso impacted our unit cost by $0.34 in the quarter. Excluding this effect, our CASM ex fuel only increased 12% versus the Q3 of 2022. We managed costs as effectively as possible to achieve expectation that included cyclical pressure associated with maintenance and redeliveries that we anticipated on our Investor Day last December. Moving to jet fuel, the average economic fuel cost during the quarter was $3.17 per gallon.

Speaker 1

While this equates to a 20% decrease year over year, given the lapping of last year's historic surge in fuel prices, jet fuel costs have risen rapidly since the Q2 of this year, up 17% sequentially. Given the recent geopolitical global circumstances, we expect to continue to experience volatility in jet fuel prices. During the quarter, we booked delivery cost accruals of $42,400,000 and no sale and leaseback gains. Total CASM came to $0.0798 for the Q3, a 1.7% increase compared to the Q3 of 2022. For the Q3, the net loss was $39,000,000 the cash flow provided by operating and financing activities in the Q3 was $145,000,000 and $87,000,000 respectively.

Speaker 1

Cash outflows used in investing were $138,000,000 CapEx net of pre delivery payments totaled $63,000,000 in the quarter. Our strategy to maintain operational reliability drove investment of $11,000,000 in acquiring Esper Engines. The capitalized major maintenance events expenses were $37,000,000 for the quarter. Year to date, CapEx net to operate delivery payments stands at $186,000,000 For the full year, we continue to expect CapEx of $300,000,000 net of pre delivery payments. Volaris finished the quarter with a liquidity position of $764,000,000 representing 24% of the last 12 months operating revenue.

Speaker 1

Given the effect of the expected parked aircraft on our capacity and network, it is particularly important to maintain a healthy cash position. In this sense, we secure financing for Atez Perr engines through finance leases for $109,000,000 Notably, five of these leases are structured under Japanese operating leases with call options or YOLCOs, representing a milestone for Volaris as these marks our first entry into these financial structures. Additionally, in the Q3, Volaris successfully issued Mexican pros adults worth MXN 1,500,000,000 or $86,000,000 This marks our third offering under the program approved by the CNBB and solidifies Volaris as a regular issuer in the Mexican debt capital markets. Overall, our balance sheet remains solid and flexible to comfortable meet our financial commitments for the foreseeable future. At the end of the third quarter, our net debt to EBITDA ratio remained at 3.5 times.

Speaker 1

As of September 30, our fleet comprised 125 aircraft, up from 113 aircraft a year ago. Seats per departure were 194 in the Q3 and our fleet had an average age of 5.6 years. We are working diligently on our fleet plan with Airbus and maintaining our annual aircraft delivery plan, which includes 24 aircraft already financed for 2024 2025. Our mitigation plan encompasses adjusting certain operating costs in anticipation of the expected reduction in our fleet. However, we must emphasize that we would be cautious in scaling back our operations.

Speaker 1

While we are committed to cost control, we also focus on long term growth and are mindful of the required resources to support that future. Additionally, we aim to retain the flexibility to increase operations after the engine inspections are completed quickly. Although our unit costs will likely experience upward pressure due to capacity reductions, our commitment to maintaining world class cost control remains unwavering. The company's net cost impact for the Q3, which includes rounding compensation is forecasted to remain under control. Consequently, for the entire year, we expect the CASM ex field to stay consistent with our original guidance of around US4.0 dollars CASM both including and excluding fuel expenses will be netted for the compensation we received from Pratt and Whitney.

Speaker 1

However, it is important to note that each line in the P and L statement will continue to reflect the actual cost of the entire fleet, including the non productive fleet. We updated our full year 2023 guidance 2 weeks ago to reflect part aircraft cancellations and higher fuel prices. As a reminder, our estimates for the full year are as follows: ASM growth of 10%, total operating revenues of $3,200,000 CASM ex fuel of $4.8 EBITDA margin of 26%, CapEx of $300,000,000 net of finance, 30 repayments, net debt to EBITDA ratio of 3.5 times. This outlook assumes an average for the full year foreign exchange rate of approximately MXN 17.75 per dollar and an average economic fuel price of approximately $2.80 per gallon. Now I will turn the call over to Enrique for closing remarks.

Speaker 2

Thank you very much, Jaime. Volaris has managed numerous challenges and regulatory static in recent years, including slot reductions in Mexico City, International Airport, a major COVID crisis, a downgrade in the category of the Mexican Aviation Authority, soaring fuel costs well above historical levels, shifts in aviation regulations, including discussions on cabotage, the transition to new airports, significant delays from OEMs, the complex implementation of new engine technologies, etcetera. The Volaris team has consistently responded with agility throughout these challenges, adapting the company effectively and achieving considerable success. At certain moments in the aviation industry, absolute clarity is impossible to assess. We firmly believe that the current situation is no exception.

Speaker 2

We're again prepared and motivated to manage the airline for a successful 2024. We will focus on managing our fleet to the best of our ability, putting safety first, while focusing on profitability. Our operation may be smaller in the short term, but we've continuing strong demand against reduced capacity in our markets and appropriate support from Pratt and Whitney. The next year has the potential to deliver an improved performance versus 2023. Thank you very much for listening.

Speaker 2

Operator, Please open the line for questions.

Speaker 3

Thank you. The floor is now open for questions. Questions will be taken in the order they are received. We ask that when you post your question that you pick up your handset to provide optimum sound quality. Those following the presentation via the webcast may post their questions on the platform.

Speaker 3

The management team will answer them during this call or the Volaris Investor Relations team will follow-up after the conference call is finished. To send your questions via the webcast platform, click on the Ask a Question button Our first question comes from Duane Pfennigwerth with Evercore ISI. You may proceed.

Speaker 4

Hey, good morning. I just wanted to ask you maybe like a RASM Distribution or profitability distribution question. If you were to rank your routes, kind of highest RASM to lowest RASM, How much lower is the bottom 10% to 15%? In other words, you haven't given 24 guidance here, But if you were to cut the bottom 10% to 15% of your capacity into next year, how much could your RASM improve? And Certainly appreciate there are a lot of moving parts here with category 1, etcetera, and maybe some shift to international.

Speaker 4

But maybe you could give us a sense for some sensitivity there?

Speaker 2

We had a part of those Routes that were not performing yet on a profitable basis, okay? So that 10%, 15% that you have in the lower tail include a good amount of routes that were in development. If you remember, we launched more than 40 routes this year that we're maturing, okay, and they were part of that, okay. So what we're doing is, yes, you're absolutely right on making the question. We are cutting down that capacity.

Speaker 2

We're cutting down the non profitable capacity and the less profitable routes. And that accounts that probably improves our TRASM somehow between 5% to 8%.

Speaker 3

And

Speaker 5

there are a lot of new moving parts. It's also fair to assume that there will be some capacity reductions in the Mexican domestic market since 2 out of the 3 airlines, which account for 70% of the market, are going to be affected by the patent Whitney engine issue. So lots of moving parts in the domestic market, and We have cut one back in the international market. So we will see where things turn out once we have a full plan.

Speaker 2

I think it is important to say Duane that our forecast for the year end already includes the downtime of the aircrafts that we have forecasted for this quarter.

Speaker 4

Okay. Thanks for those thoughts. And then just on compensation, I assume at a minimum, aircraft ownership and the cost to make these repairs are on the table. But what about other costs, staff costs, presumably you hired to fly this capacity. What other forms of compensation are on the table?

Speaker 6

At the moment, we cannot comment on that. It's something that we are under negotiations with Pratt. But Pratt has behaved rational and supportive of the company. But we will share whenever we have the possibility of doing so.

Speaker 2

I just want to remind you, Duane, that we do have a flexible label contract Based on a per hour basis.

Speaker 4

Okay. Thank you.

Speaker 3

Thank you. One moment for questions. Our next question comes from Stephen Trent with Citi. You may proceed.

Speaker 7

Good morning, everybody, and thanks for taking my question. I was just Curious, I know with Category 1 restored now, you should have more U. S.-bound flights. Any high level color with respect to what proportion of your capacity is going to be Mexico to U. S.

Speaker 7

In 2024 versus what it looked like pre pandemic with the view that maybe you're now still doing more Central America to U. S. Nonstop, for example, just sort of trying to sort out how you're going to be thinking about your northbound capacity? Thank you.

Speaker 5

So Stephen, this is Holger. I can give you some color on the Q4. We are planning to increase capacity in the international markets by around 19% for the Q4. And that is driven by some additional U. S.-Mexico capacity.

Speaker 5

And Enrique mentioned, we are considering 4 aircraft lines that were previously operated in the domestic market to be shifted into The national market in the Q4. And also to remind you that we added significant capacity to Central America, which includes Central America to the U. S. Flying. And that's up in the high double digits year over year.

Speaker 5

So we are focusing on growing our international capacity in the Q4. For 2024, we are still sorting to the available capacity and we'll get back to you with some additional guidance on the split between domestic and international as we move through in Q4.

Speaker 7

Appreciate that, Holger. Thank you. And just a very quick follow-up, if I may. I know the Mexican government has, I guess, resuscitated Mexicana. When you look at their flight schedules, To what extent do you guys have modest overlap or maybe no overlap at all?

Speaker 7

Just trying to sort that out. Thank you.

Speaker 5

So we have reviewed initial press Notes of what their planned capacity is. All of the capacity that this new airline will launch is from the new airport, AIFA, the New Mexico City Airport. And there is about half of the routes are currently overlapping with us from AIFA and half are completely new routes from AIFA. So very limited overlap so far for us with the new airline.

Speaker 7

Okay. Thanks again, Holger. I'll leave it there. I appreciate that guys.

Speaker 5

It would be in the 1% to 2% ASM overlap right now.

Speaker 7

Perfect. That's very helpful. Thanks very much.

Speaker 3

Thank you. One moment for questions. Our next question comes from Helane Becker with TD Cowen. You may proceed.

Speaker 8

Thanks very much. Hi, everybody, and thank you for the time today. Earlier this week or late last week, it was reported by the 3 publicly traded airports in Mexico that they had reached an agreement on charges with the government and The government put out a note that said airfare should come down 9% to 12% as a result of that agreement on charges. And I'm wondering if that How that will affect you guys if at all?

Speaker 2

So Helane, we've been Tracking the process with the airport groups very closely. And all I can say firm today that it's firm today is we received a letter that was sent by GAP to the DGIC or to the authority where they are proposing a reduction of 10% of 2 as effective that same day. Okay. So that may impact the total price Of the tickets to the consumers.

Speaker 8

Right. That's what I'm wondering if that will affect you. So then the one word answer is yes, it will.

Speaker 2

Yes, it will on a positive basis.

Speaker 8

Because Your costs are going down, but won't you have to reduce your ticket prices to the customer?

Speaker 2

We're not affected by any of their changes. Our pricing structure is not being affected by any of their changes.

Speaker 5

The TUWA charge is a pass through charge that we put into the total ticket price. So the total ticket price for the consumer that they pay on our website is going to be reduced, but not our actual fare or ancillary revenue.

Speaker 8

Got it. Okay. Got it. I understand what you're saying now. Thank you.

Speaker 8

And then just on V Club members, I heard you say that I think membership doubled, in the past 1 year, which is very impressive. Is there a limit as to how Many members you're willing to accept into the program? Or is it kind of an unlimited number?

Speaker 5

No, Helane. We don't have a limit on how many v club members we would like to welcome to our program. Ideally, The more members we have, the more captive audience we have and the more repeat business we have. So we highly welcome this development.

Speaker 8

Okay. Thank you. Thank you very much.

Speaker 3

Thank you. One moment for questions. Our next question comes from Michael Linenberg with Deutsche Bank. You may proceed.

Speaker 9

Yes. Hey, good morning, everyone. I guess out of your fleet of 125 airplanes, how many airbuses are now grounded? And as you think out over the next 12 months or so, do you have sort of a rough sense of how many airplanes will be on the ground at any point in time?

Speaker 2

Yes. As I said, Michael, we have 52 new engined aircrafts, So which is kind of half of the fleet, okay. And given that this is now a revision every Certain number of cycles, 2,800 cycles for the A321s and 3,800 cycles for the A320s. Most of those aircrafts will go through the revision through the preventive revision.

Speaker 9

Okay. And how many are on the ground? Do you Or maybe not grounded, maybe

Speaker 2

Today, we have 16 aircraft grounded.

Speaker 9

Okay. And does that number, Enrique, as we move to the next 12 months or so, does that number get better or is that kind of a rough

Speaker 2

It depends on every week, okay? That's why it's so important. I mean, I think, Michael, what we're trying to do It's we're thinking on our customers and we have to publish an itinerary and a schedule, which is solid and it's Reliable and it's not changing for the customers. That's why on the other side, I mean, for us, it's really important to speak in terms of ASMs because we'll have Aircrafts going in, aircrafts going out, engines going up, engines going out. And it's going to be really variable.

Speaker 2

So I don't think it's really It's important to speak about aircrafts or engines for you guys who make your prognosis based on ASMs and for the customers who need a a reliable schedule. So I think the most important way of managing this is managing through a prognosis based on ASMs.

Speaker 9

Okay. Okay. I agree. I just I'm trying to get the sense on knowing that we cover the lessors. I'm trying to get a sense of how many airplanes You may have to extend the leases on and that's actually my second question, which is in your conversations with the lessors, What sort of response are you getting on the cost of the new lease?

Speaker 9

Because what we're hearing is that with narrow bodies scarce And everybody asking for extensions at the same time and interest costs very high that In some cases, the response they're getting from the lessors is a much higher monthly rental price under the extension Then what they were currently benefiting from despite the fact that the airplane is a lot older, right? It should be a lower lease rate, not a higher lease rate. So That would be my second question is just on your early conversations with the lessors. Is it Does it appear that these new extensions would be a bit more expensive than what you currently have? Thanks for taking my question.

Speaker 6

You're welcome, Michael. This is Jaime. Hi Jaime. Let's in terms of numbers, we will be extending 18 aircrafts that we're supposed to be with delivery in 2024 2025. The new rent environment has changed due to the situation.

Speaker 6

Still rents will be lower than the NIO fleet that we have. Extensions will range between 24 months to 48 months. Normally, lessors preferred that the airline that is already operating the plane extends the plane rather to give it to someone new, because they don't need to accrue any expenses in seating the airplane for the other airline. But you are right, the pricing environment has increased if you compare it from early this year on to today.

Speaker 9

Great. That's super helpful. Thanks. Thanks everyone.

Speaker 3

Thank you. One moment for questions. Our next question comes from Rogerio Araujo with Bank of America. You may proceed.

Speaker 10

Hey gentlemen, thanks for the opportunity. I have a couple here. The first one on the new margin guidance provided, It seems that it implies a very strong EBITDA margin for 4th Q despite the higher oil price around 33%, 34%, is that correct? And what is driving that? I can do the other following that answer.

Speaker 10

Thank you.

Speaker 5

[SPEAKER SEBASTIEN

Speaker 1

DE MONTESSUS:]

Speaker 5

So I'll take the first part of that question. Thank you. This is Olga. So in the Q4, We are expecting a high single digit year on year growth in total revenue per available seat mile. And we believe that those improvements will mostly come through better ancillary revenues following the same trend of improvements that we have served year to date.

Speaker 5

And remind everyone that we are entering the one of the best quarters of the year with the high season of December November in there. We're also leveraging the return of CAT 1 in December. And we will grow in the U. S.-Mexico market as we already explained. And remind everybody that the guidance that we've given already includes the affected aircraft through the Pratt and Whitney engine situation.

Speaker 5

So that capacity guidance we talked about already includes that number.

Speaker 10

Okay. That's very clear. My second question is regarding the financial compensation. So you guys mentioned $6,000,000,000 to $7,000,000,000 in financial compensation, Estimated 80% coming to compensate the airlines and 3,000 engines. So can we do like a if you do an average compensation by engine, do we reach something that is close to our best guess?

Speaker 10

And is it going to be a similar compensation for each engine of all is 3,000 or it's going to be very different across airlines?

Speaker 2

I think that's a question you need to do to RTX. I cannot answer for RTX and How they negotiate their compensation packages. I can tell you what we're trying to negotiate and how we are trying to negotiate it. And it's the problem I have is I have a limitation from the contractual perspective to mention the number. But What we are planning to do and I think this is really important is effective before the end of this quarter, we will release A forecast both of ASMs that will be flying in the following quarter and second an amount, a total amount that will be accounted as part of the quarter compensation.

Speaker 10

Okay. Very clear. Thank you very much. Have a great one.

Speaker 3

Thank you. One moment for questions. Our next question comes from Guillermo Mendez with JPMorgan. You may proceed.

Speaker 11

Hello, everybody, and thanks for taking my question. I have two follow ups actually. The first one is on international capacity. So following CAT 1 and removing and have you been facing some kind of competition from U. S.

Speaker 11

Carriers by adding more capacity to the U. S. Because we understand that over the CAT II situation, most of the most profitable routes were compensated by U. S. Carriers?

Speaker 11

And the second one also related to capacity, if that by removing the capacity from Mexico City City airport, if you are adding some additional flights from IFA or you're just removing your overall exposure to Mexico City? Thank you.

Speaker 5

So in terms of U. S. Capacity, I can tell you that our airline focuses on a different market segment than many of the U. S. Carriers.

Speaker 5

We are focused On our VFR core markets, flying from the center of Mexico to some of the Mexican heritage population markets in the U. S. That have no direct service, while many of the U. S. Carriers focus on leisure destinations in Mexico.

Speaker 5

And I would also like to remind everyone that we are seeing an Increasing CASM gap between us here in Mexico and our U. S. Peers. So we believe we are well positioned to take advantage of additional demand in the U. S.-Mexico transporter market.

Speaker 5

Regarding the capacity in the Mexico City metro area, We are currently operating in 3 airports. We are reducing capacity in Mexico City International Airport. And as Enrique mentioned, we're using that capacity to fortify our U. S.-Mexico capacity in the short term. Away from Mexico City and in other markets, Mexico City from Mexico to the U.

Speaker 5

S. Maybe I can just add that.

Speaker 11

Okay. Super clear. Thank you.

Speaker 3

Thank you. One moment for questions. Our next question comes from Bruno Ameren with Goldman Sachs. You may proceed.

Speaker 12

Thank you. So I have Two questions. First one, it's a follow-up on the guidance for margin. As previously discussed, The guidance implies on a significant improvement in the Q4. Is this guidance including any Potential benefit from compensations to be received from RTX or is it net of those effects?

Speaker 12

I'm just trying to understand Try to extend the margin delivered in Q4 could be a good proxy for the future. And the second question is a clarification On the engines that have already been grounded, what type of feedback are you receiving from RTX in terms of the duration of this process, how many days will they need to go through the whole inspection process? Thank you.

Speaker 6

Hi, this is Jaime. I will answer the first question. Yes, it has the benefit of the compensation of Pat and Whitney, The guidance for the 4Q, you will see in two lines as mentioned in the call on the other operating income line I mean, on their maintenance expenses line.

Speaker 2

I think on the second part of your question, this is Enrique Beltranena. RDX stated yesterday in their call that they are still thinking about 250 to 300 days of duration for the total turnaround times for the engines.

Speaker 1

Okay. Thank you.

Speaker 12

I'm sorry.

Speaker 3

Thank you. One moment for our next question. Our next question comes from Pablo Monteves with Barclays. You may proceed.

Speaker 10

Hi. Guys, thanks for taking my questions. I have a quick one on the on basically, I would

Speaker 13

like to have more color on your ability to source new aircrafts in the first half of next year. How do you think that is happening and the likelihood

Speaker 14

of you having some extra aircraft in

Speaker 13

the list market? Thank you.

Speaker 6

Thank you, Pablo. First, we have our own purchase order with Airbus. We will be receiving 11 aircrafts in 2024 and 13 aircrafts in 2025. So we already have that contractual expectation to receive those aircrafts. In addition, we already secured extensions for the 2024 Previously, aircraft to be redelivered, and we are looking at other aircraft.

Speaker 6

What we want to do, Pablo, we don't want to fix a short term problem and create a long term problem. So we are really doing analysis Aircraft by aircraft on a P and L basis before we decide to bring a few aircraft to try to mitigate the DPS impact. But we have been really thinking about long term success and short term profitability.

Speaker 14

Perfect. Thank you.

Speaker 3

Thank you. One moment for questions. Our next question comes from Alberto Valerio with UBS. You may proceed.

Speaker 14

Hi, thanks for taking my questions. So

Speaker 9

I would like

Speaker 14

to follow-up on the Mexican and the Adiacion. We see tickets fair very low at this moment, some relative 50 I know that for a while the overlap is small. They start to receive very few aircraft at this moment. But do you see any potential liability on privilege for the airline And then you can call a legal dispute or do you think that they'll be restricted to that 10 aircraft that They have initial plans for the fleet and keep that at a small portion of the market. Thank you.

Speaker 2

I mean, again, we need to say that Volaris has advocated for fair competition with equal conditions for all market participants. We have demanded equal treatment from the authorities and are closely monitoring the implementation process for any new entrants. The good news is this last week, the FAA authority or the aviation authority had made it really clear that they were not going to allow the new airline to have better benefits. And that's the way they have stated it. It is important also to say that They started selling, but then they interrupted and their tickets are now failed until they I then remind you guys, I mean, with equal with fair competition, Volaris has always been A very good carrier competing with any other competitor since we were founded.

Speaker 14

No doubt. Very clear. Just one more question on my side. About Tulum airport is any news on the Tulum, they Already started selling tickets on that airport. We won't validate any deal with this airport?

Speaker 14

Thank you.

Speaker 2

I stated it in the last time, the last call, we are absolutely interested in Tulum and we may fly from Tulum. It's in its final phase of being constructed and finished. And once we have clarity on safety And the way we can fly there, then we will start acting our structure and announcing capacity. But I think for us, it's really important to have absolute clarity on how we fly and how we approach, how we take off and the way we operate since safety is always the first thing for us.

Speaker 14

Okay. Thank you very much everyone.

Speaker 2

I think it is important for you guys also to understand, We are now the only public company in this country, okay, the only airline public company. As a result of that, we cannot Published capacity that it is not approved by the authority or that it is not legally with authority to reply the routes.

Speaker 3

Thank you. One moment for our next question. Our next question comes from Neil Glynn with Air Control Tower. You may proceed.

Speaker 12

Good morning, everybody. If I could ask Two questions. The first one is following up on some of the U. S. Commentary.

Speaker 12

I'm conscious there's a lot of capacity from each of the 3 Mexican airlines Hitting the market over the next few months. And I'm interested in your take as to the ability of that capacity to hit the ground running, so to speak, Or how do you think about the lag to maturity of some of those routes? Then the second question, you've mentioned your first foray into the JOLCO market. Your sister company Wizz Air in Europe has been using that market for quite some time. So I'm interested in terms of why now for that for the Jallco market?

Speaker 12

And should Jallco play a bigger role for you in the future? Thank you.

Speaker 5

I will start first with

Speaker 6

the second question. Neil, this is Jaime. Basically, in the past, we hadn't explored the Yolko Japanese market. We did our first trip during the month of May and visit the banks and some of the players. And this is the first approach we are dealing with engines, which is a smaller risk for an exposure for the LATAM area.

Speaker 6

Some of the Japanese investors were concerned about the Latin market, in particular due to Chapter 11 and breaches under the prior contracts from some Latin American Airlines. So I think it's good news that we were able in sort of short term after the visit to be enabled to execute a transaction on engines. We already have the sale and leaseback for most of the plays of 2024 2025. We do have some shares at the end of 2025 that it will be interesting if we can accommodate a Jocco transaction. It is probably the cheapest money due to the tax benefit the Japanese would they have accelerated depreciation.

Speaker 6

So it's good. It was helpful for us that they knew with some of the banks and investors. But we are really optimistic on the view that the Japanese inverter had on the story of Volaris and where we are heading. On the first question, Neil, the line was cut it, so we're going to hear it. If you can repeat it, please.

Speaker 12

Sure. It was really a question about how long it takes Some of this new capacity into the U. S. To perform as your existing U. S.

Speaker 12

Network, given Clearly, there's disparate routes being introduced, but there are 3 Mexican airlines introducing a lot of new capacity at around the same time.

Speaker 5

So regarding the U. S. Capacity, I can tell you that international new routes typically have a longer ramp up time than domestic routes. However, we are not introducing any new routes. We are adding capacity 2 existing markets that we already operate and that require more capacity because we are seeing extremely high loads in those markets.

Speaker 5

So the ramp up time of those increased frequencies is significantly lower. And we are going to be focusing on our Mexican heritage core market, which is very different to the U. S. Carriers, as I already mentioned.

Speaker 2

Many thanks.

Speaker 3

Thank you. Excuse me. This concludes today's question and answer session. I would like to invite Mr. Beltraneno to proceed with his closing remarks.

Speaker 3

Please go ahead, sir.

Speaker 2

Thank you very much. So before I end the call, I want to especially thank our ambassadors who have been working hard again to optimize our in light of these engine inspections and changing schedules and changing reservations and accommodating to the new environment. As always, I want to thank our Board of Directors, investors, bankers, lessors and suppliers for their unwavering commitment and support. But let me tell you something, I remain really positive of the way we can manage the situation And I look forward to addressing you all again in the next future. Thank you very much.

Speaker 2

Thank you, operator. Thank you, everybody.

Speaker 3

Thank you. This concludes the Valeris conference call for today. Thank you very much.

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Key Takeaways

  • Volaris’ loyalty initiatives, including an affinity program with OXXO, are in early stages but envisioned to become Mexico’s largest loyalty platform with Volaris as a cornerstone.
  • Key Q3 developments included regaining Category 1 status—enabling more U.S. flights and resuming the Frontier partnership—and Pratt & Whitney GTF inspections that grounded 16 aircraft and spurred network optimization.
  • In Q3, total operating revenues rose 10% to $848 M (ancillary revenue per passenger up to $49), EBITDA margin improved to 24.4%, and CASM ex-fuel increased 21% (12% excluding peso appreciation).
  • For Q4 and into 2024, Volaris sees solid bookings, plans a 19% lift in Mexico-U.S. capacity by December, and will prioritize its most profitable routes while reducing underperforming and Mexico City trunk capacity.
  • Volaris closed Q3 with $764 M liquidity (24% of trailing revenues), net debt/EBITDA at 3.5×, secured $109 M in Japanese JOLCO leases, issued MXN 1.5 B in bonds, and maintains a 125-aircraft fleet with 24 more financed for 2024–25.
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Earnings Conference Call
Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación Q3 2023
00:00 / 00:00