Corporación América Airports Q3 2023 Earnings Call Transcript

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Provided by Quartr
November 16, 2023

There are 8 speakers on the call.

Operator

Good morning, and welcome to the Corporacion America Airports Third Quarter Conference Call. A slide presentation accompanies today's webcast and is available in the Investors section of the Corporation America Airports website. As a reminder, all participants are in a listen only mode. There will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the presentation. At this time, I would like to turn the call over to Patricio Inaki Efonola, Head of Investor Relations.

Operator

Batifio, please go ahead.

Speaker 1

Thank you. Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining us today. Speaking during today's call will be Martin Aubernequan, our Chief Executive Officer and Jorge Jaruda, our Chief Financial Officer. Before we proceed, I would like to make the following Safe Harbor statements. Today's call will contain forward looking statements, and I refer you to the forward looking statements section of our earnings release and recent filings with the SEC.

Speaker 1

We assume no obligation to update or revise any forward looking statements to reflect new or changed events or circumstances. I will now turn the call over to our CEO, Martin Euemekian.

Speaker 2

Thank you, Inaki. Hello, everyone, and welcome to our Q3 2023 earnings call. I will start today's call with an overview of key highlights, followed by a review of traffic and cargo trends. I will then hand it over to Jorge for an overview of our Q3 financial results. We delivered another strong quarter with a robust performance across the business.

Speaker 2

Revenues ex IFRIC 12 increased 37% compared to Q3 2019 And adjusted EBITDA set another record high at $173,000,000 up 73% compared to the Q3 of 2019, even with passenger traffic at 2% below pre pandemic levels. Adjusted EBITDA margin ex ARP12 expanded 8.6 percentage points to 40.9% as we continue to drive operating gains. This good performance was supported by positive adjusted EBITDA growth across all geographies, reflecting our sustained focus on efficient execution together with the continued recovery in travel demand. In addition, we closed the quarter with a strong balance sheet and a comfortable maturity profile. Our leverage ratio improved further this quarter, achieving an all time low of 1.6 times on the back of higher profitability and a slight reduction in net debt.

Speaker 2

We are also making good progress in the execution of our fully funded investment programs in Argentina and Uruguay. Additionally, we continue to work on new airport investment opportunities and remain focused on delivering long term value to our stakeholders. Please turn to Slide 4 for the discussion on traffic. By September, overall traffic had recovered to 99% of pre pandemic traffic levels, with international passenger traffic surpassing Q3 of 2019 levels by 5%. This performance was supported by a continued recovery in travel demand, reflected by higher load factors and the gradual return of flight growth and frequencies across all countries of operation.

Speaker 2

On a geographic basis, Traffic volumes in Italy surpassed pre pandemic levels for the first time this quarter, while Armenia and Ecuador continue to beat 2019 volumes. In turn, passenger traffic in Argentina and Uruguay remained in line with Q3 of 2019 levels, while traffic in Brazil continues on the path to full recovery. Armenia continues to lead the recovery supported by the entrance of new carriers and increased flight frequencies. Traffic was up 40% year on year, beating pre pandemic levels for the 6th consecutive quarter. This solid performance continued into October with traffic surpassing pre pandemic levels by 62%.

Speaker 2

In Argentina, passenger traffic increased to nearly pre pandemic levels even as we experienced a minor contraction from the Q2 of 2023, which benefited from Previaje, a government sponsored program to boost domestic tourism. Domestic traffic, which accounted for more than 70% of total traffic, remained strong, beating pre pandemic levels by 4%, while international passengers recovered to 89% of Q3 of 2019 levels. In October, total traffic exceeded 2019 levels by 10%, with domestic traffic surpassing pre pandemic numbers and international traffic improving to 96% of 2019 volumes. In Ecuador, solid performance in both domestic and international traffic, driven mainly by increased frequencies, supported the sustained growth trend in passenger traffic, which was 12% above pre pandemic levels. Growth continued into October, beating 2019 volumes by 9%.

Speaker 2

Uruguay Continue to recover with the number of passengers increasing to 94% of Q3 of 2019 levels. This good performance continued into October as passenger traffic surpassed 2019 volumes by 7%. Passenger traffic in Italy beat pre pandemic levels for the first time, up 4% from Q3 of 2019 volumes, supported by growth in the high teens in international traffic and low single digit in domestic traffic. While some destinations have not yet resumed at Pisa Airport, Florence Airport continued to operate above pre pandemic levels, increasing in the mid teens from the Q3 of 2019 levels. In October, traffic exceeded 2019 levels by 6%.

Speaker 2

Finally, traffic in Brazil was at 94% of pre pandemic levels compared to 96% in the previous quarter as some local airlines remain impacted by financial and aircraft constraints. October traffic was 15% below 2019 levels, still impacted by the aforementioned financial and aircraft constraints. Moving on to cargo on Slide 5. We are pleased to observe a sustained recovery in our cargo business. Volumes were up 13% year on year to 93% the quarter.

Speaker 2

Calgon revenues in turn were 56% higher than the Q3 of 2019 levels, with all geographies meeting pre pandemic levels except Brazil, which still remains in a recovery phase. I will now hand off the call to Jorge, who will review our financial results. Please, Jorge, go ahead.

Speaker 3

Thank you, Martin, and good day, everyone. Starting with our top line On Slide 6, as Martin stated, we are pleased with the 3rd quarter results. Total revenues exi sleep increased 22% year on year and surpassed pre pandemic levels by 37%. The strong trends we have seen throughout the year continued in this quarter in both aeronautical and commercial segments of our business. Horological revenues were up 27% year on year and surpassed pre pandemic levels by 17%, mainly supported by tariff increases and the sustained recovering passenger traffic across our airport network.

Speaker 3

Argentina, Armenia, Uruguay and Brazil maintained strong momentum for RenatoCo revenues up double digit year on year and also when compared to 3 quarter 2019. Commercial revenues, which accounted for 48% of our total ex Revenues in the quarter were up 16% year on year and 65% above pre pandemic levels. The solid growth in cargo bookings revenue in Argentina, higher Fuel related revenues in Armenia and VRP lounges in Brazil were the main drivers behind this group performance. Notably, Compared to 2019 levels, we have achieved strong commercial revenue growth Well above passenger traffic growth resulting in a 40% increase in revenues per tax to $19 this quarter from $14.6 in the Q3 of 2019. Turning to Slide 7.

Speaker 3

Total costs and expenses for the quarter increased 13% year on year ex Citrix 12, reflecting the sustained growth of our business, but at the same time remains well below the 22% growth in revenues and 19% growth in passenger traffic. Compared to 2019, total costs and expenses ex FCF-twelve were up 18%. The primary factors were higher fuel costs in Armenia due to increased fuel sales, while in Argentina, we experienced Higher concession fees tied to increased activity and higher salaries as the local inflation rate was above currency depreciation. SG and A expenses increased 9% year on year, also well below the 22% revenue growth. Compared to Q3 2019, SG and A was down 25%, mainly reflecting the easier comparison from the Moving on to profitability on Slide 8, our robust top line growth coupled with our strong focus on cost control continue to support future profitability.

Speaker 3

As a result, the Q3 2023 adjusted EBITDA reached $173,000,000 setting another record and surpassing historical highs achieved in the 1st 2 quarters of the year. Year on year adjusted EBITDA was up 32% with strong contributions from Argentina, Armenia and Italy and the adjusted EBITDA margin ex Citibank 12 expanded 3.2 percentage points to 40.9 percent in this quarter. Compared to 2019 level, adjusted EBITDA increased 73% of 40% when excluding the bad debt charge recorded in the Q3 of 2019. Turning to Slide 9, we closed the quarter With a total liquidity position of $558,000,000 up $106,000,000 when compared to year end 2022, reflecting our sustained strong cash flow generation. Notably, all our operating subsidiaries reported positive cash flow from operating activities in the Q3.

Speaker 3

Moving on to debt and maturity profile on Slide 10. Total debt at quarter end was $1,420,000,000 while our net debt decreased to 955,000,000 from $1,100,000,000 at year end 2022. We closed the quarter with a strong balance sheet on a healthy debt profile with no significant maturities in the next 4 quarters. Consistent with our last quarters, As a result of the continued growth of our adjusted EBITDA and lower debt levels, our net leverage ratio decreased further to 1.6 times from 2.4x at December 2022, achieving another all time low. In sum, we believe that we're both operating and financial results, further reducing our leverage and strengthening our financial position to support future growth opportunities.

Speaker 3

I will now hand the call back to Martin, who will provide closing remarks and discuss our view for the remainder of the year.

Speaker 2

Now wrapping up, please turn to slide 12. We are pleased to have reported a strong 3rd quarter, Achieving a new record high adjusted EBITDA and the margin expanded 8.6 percentage points versus the same period of 2019 or 1.1 percentage points when excluding the bad debt charge recorded in the Q3 of 2019. We are achieving these good results even though traffic volume is still a bit below pre pandemic levels. Also noteworthy is a considerable increase in revenues per passengers, which increased 40% to $19 this quarter from $13.6 in the Q3 of 2019. Looking ahead, we remain focused on advancing in the negotiations with the government of Armenia regarding a $400,000,000 CapEx program.

Speaker 2

The approval process for the new master plan at Torrance Airport, which continue to advance and on receiving the indemnification payment related to the return of Natal Airport within the next few months. We are also focused on expanding our network And making continuous progress with the Government of Nigeria regarding the Abuja and Canal concession agreements. In terms of travel dynamics, we remain cautiously optimistic as we are monitoring the macroeconomic environment in Argentina. A concession we have successfully managed across many different cycles and challenges over the past 20 years. We also maintain a positive view on Armenia, Italy, Brazil and Uruguay.

Speaker 2

On the financial front, we are supported by and benefit from a solid balance sheet and efficient operations in each of our operating subsidiaries. This ends our prepared remarks. We are ready to take your questions. Operator, please open the line for questions.

Operator

Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, we will now begin the question and answer session. We also request our participants to limit yourselves to one question Our first question comes from the line of Fernanda with Haya from BTG. Please go ahead.

Speaker 4

Hello. Thank you for taking my question and congrats on the results. Two questions here on our side. First, I wanted to further explore a little bit traffic trends. We saw that traffic has been posting double digit growth.

Speaker 4

And as Martin mentioned in his initial remarks, Armenia has been the main outperformer. So just wondering if you could provide us some color on the trends that you are anticipating for next here in next month. Maybe if you could give some comments by region, it would be very helpful. And second, just wanted to get your latest update on the Natao airport. I know that Martin mentioned that the negotiations are ongoing, but I think that The latest time line we had was November for the devolution.

Speaker 4

So just wondering if this time line is the latest one or if you have any Update regarding this. Thank you.

Speaker 5

Hi, Fernanda. This is George. Thank you so much for your questions and as well as your comments. So regarding traffic trends, as you correctly pointed out, Armenia has been leading the growth. Year to date, they are up 53% versus last year.

Speaker 5

And perhaps, although Still growing and still actually relatively good growth, but on the other spectrum of within our portfolio is Brazil with plus 10% versus last year. So we remain positive and constructive going forward. We, this year, consider that we are still in the final stages of recovering what we had lost during the COVID. So going ahead, What we expect is a more normal growth, if you will, but we are very constructive and I have very positive feelings in some of our airport portfolios in our company. Armenia being one of them, Toscana, we are very constructive in Brazil.

Speaker 5

In Argentina, obviously, there are elections upcoming, and we have to wait and see what are going to be the financial measures by the new government, etcetera. But as Martin said, we have gone through many, many crisis and always have managed to perform well during the many, many crises we went through. So in summary, we are constructive. Regarding Natal, The government, and by that, I mean the Ministry of Ports and Airports and the Ministry of Finance, requested the necessary amendments, if you will, to the budget law to the Congress to include this indemnification payment. It has been sent several weeks ago to the Congress.

Speaker 5

It's a normal procedure given the restrictions that exist in the budget law in Brazil. And the government expects within the next few weeks to receive that. And it's within perhaps a week Following the receipt of the approval by the Congress of this amendment to the budget, the payment will be made to us and then Zurich would make their part. So in summary, we expect our indemnification payment to be paid in 2 installments, first by the government and second by Zurich within a matter of a few days between one and the other. The minister told me that they expect this process to be concluded by year end.

Speaker 5

We'll continue to update the market as we hear from the government.

Speaker 4

Roger, thank you very much for your answers. Have a good day.

Speaker 3

Thank you.

Operator

We have our next question coming from the line of Stephen Trent from Citi. Please go ahead.

Speaker 6

Good morning, everybody, and thanks for taking my questions. Just one for me and then one follow-up as per your rules. Could you refresh my memory on CapEx, where you think the long term maintenance number is going to be given that your CapEx today is seems very low versus historical levels. And 2, with runoff elections in Argentina in the pipeline, Are you at this very early stage seeing any kind of major policy differences with respect to airports or aviation of the different candidates. Thank you.

Speaker 1

Hello, Steven. Martin here. I will address your second question first, and

Speaker 7

then I will pass it over to Jorge For the second one. So regarding our actions in Argentina, it's still very uncertain. Although we are very, very close, it's given uncertain the outcome of the elections and with the outcome also and the possible policy changes. So we are looking at this with caution and expect you to engage with well and new government entities. If the government remains with a fiduciary party, Most probably, we wouldn't see huge differences from what we've seen so far.

Speaker 7

If it changes color, Then we have to understand what the government's policy policies are. We have been in touch with everybody before, But it's too early to say there will be a strong quality shift. We are cautiously optimistic still on the outcome of any candidates in the elections for our sector, which is growing a lot. And I think all candidates agree, but tourism is one of the key pillars for Argentina's growth And I believe it's ability to be bringing foreign currency into the country. So we expect And yet to support clearly the growth of tourism, which is core for our industry.

Speaker 7

So I'll pass it on to Jorge now regarding maintenance CapEx going ahead.

Speaker 5

Thank Thank you, Martin. Hi, Steve. How are you? Thanks for your question. George speaking.

Speaker 5

So let me divide the answer into 2, okay? First, and I'd like to answer what is the recurring CapEx we see in our portfolio in total aside from expansion CapEx. So the CapEx that we have to do from time to time in our airports outside, again, any expansion, any new terminals, any new runways, etcetera. So the amount is between $30,000,000 $32,000,000 that we see recurring within our portfolio. Aside from that, we have expansion CapEx or committed CapEx that we have currently.

Speaker 5

We are in the final stages of Argentina. Out of the first tranche of $406,000,000 there's And then we have the EUR 200,000,000 in EUR 50,000,000 per year in 4 years. So that's Argentina. And then we have PISA, about $45,000,000 to $50,000,000 in PISA. So aside from that, what we expect to do in the future Is the new master plan in Florence Airport for a new terminal and new runway, which is still subject to final approvals by the government, and we expect that we will have within the next 9 months, if you will.

Speaker 5

And then we will immediately thereafter begin the CapEx program. And in Armenia, which we are negotiating with them. In PISA, the total amount of CapEx, which in fact is public information has been to a certain extent widely reported, is €400,000,000 of which €150,000,000 would be financed through a grant pursuant a scheme that exists for European midsize airports. And in Armenia, once approved, We expect within 4 to 5 years to deploy US400 $1,000,000

Speaker 6

Okay. Super appreciate the color and thanks gents.

Speaker 5

Thank you.

Operator

There are no further questions at this time. I'd now like to turn the call back over to Mr. Martin Yonekan for final closing comments.

Speaker 7

I want to finalize thanking everybody for joining us today and reminding you that our team remains available for any further questions or discussions. Please enjoy the rest of your day. Thank you very much.

Operator

Thank you, sir. Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes your conference call for today. We thank you for participating and ask that you please disconnect your lines. Have a lovely day.

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Earnings Conference Call
Corporación América Airports Q3 2023
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