MEXICO CITY—(BUSINESS WIRE)—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 2016.

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

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2016 Highlights

Total operating revenues reached Ps.6,469 million and Ps.23,512 million for the fourth quarter and full year, representing increases of 27.0% and 29.3% year over year, respectively.
Non-ticket revenues were Ps.1,604 million and Ps.5,722 million for the fourth quarter and full year, up 38.0% and 41.3% year over year, respectively. Non-ticket revenues per passenger for the fourth quarter and full year were Ps.404 and Ps.381, increasing 13.2% and 12.9% year over year, respectively.
Total operating revenues per available seat mile (TRASM) rose to Ps.144.1 cents and Ps.140.8 cents for the fourth quarter and full year, increasing of 7.4% and 8.8% year over year, respectively.
Operating expenses per available seat mile (CASM) were Ps.133.5 cents and Ps.124.4 cents for the fourth quarter and full year, 16.3% and 11.5% higher year over year, respectively.
Adjusted EBITDAR was Ps.2,207 million and Ps.8,866 for the fourth quarter and full year, for increase of 17.0% and 36.6% year over year, respectively. Adjusted EBITDAR margin for the fourth quarter and full year was 34.1% and a record 37.7%, a decrease in margin of 2.9 percentage points for the fourth quarter and an increase in margin of 2.0 percentage points for the full year.
Operating income was Ps.473 million and Ps.2,740 million for the fourth quarter and full year, with an operating margin of 7.3% and 11.7%, respectively. Year over year, fourth quarter and full year operating margin decreased by 7.1 and 2.1 percentage points, respectively.
Net income was Ps.973 million (Ps.0.96 per share / US$0.47 per ADS) and Ps.3,519 (Ps.3.48 per share / US$1.68 per ADS) for the fourth quarter and full year, respectively, with a net margin of 15.0% for both periods. Year over year the net margin for the fourth quarter and full year increased 2.2 and 1.4 percentage points, respectively.
Net increase of cash and cash equivalents was Ps.78 million and Ps.1,914 million for the fourth quarter and full year, respectively. As of December 31, 2016, unrestricted cash and cash equivalents were Ps.7,071 million.
Volaris´ CEO Enrique Beltranena commented: “Considering the circumstances, 2016 was a great year for Volaris, reaching the milestones set forth for our airline in terms of network geographic diversification, profitability and the continued strengthening our financial position. We have built a resilient ULCC business model, well positioned to continue developing our region’s air travel market.”

Traffic Volume Growth Supported by Solid Demand Environment, Despite Exchange Rate and Fuel Price Pressures

Air traffic volume increase: The Mexican DGAC reported overall passenger volume growth for Mexican carriers for the fourth quarter of 15%. Domestic passenger volume increased 14%, while international passenger volume increased 21%.
Exchange rate volatility: The Mexican peso depreciated 18.4% year over year against the US dollar, from an average of Ps.16.75 pesos per US dollar in the fourth quarter 2015 to Ps.19.83 pesos per US dollar during the fourth quarter 2016.
Higher fuel prices: The average economic fuel cost per gallon increased 31.8% year over year to Ps.34.6 per gallon (US$1.7) in the fourth quarter 2016.
Unit Revenue Improvements Driven by Volume and Non-Ticket Revenue Expansion

Passenger traffic stimulation: Volaris booked 4.0 million passengers in the fourth quarter of 2016, up 21.9% year over year. Volaris traffic (measured in terms of revenue passenger miles, or RPMs) increased 20.3% for the same period.
Unit revenue improvement and demand driven capacity growth: For the fourth quarter of 2016, TRASM increased 7.4%, with yield increasing 2.9%, year over year. During the fourth quarter, in terms of ASMs, domestic capacity grew 16.0%, while international capacity increased 23.7% responding to a strong demand from both markets. System load factor for the quarter and full year increased 1.4 and 3.5 percentage points year over year, reaching a record level for the fourth quarter and full year of 84.1% and 85.8%, respectively.
Non-ticket revenues growth: Non-ticket revenues and non-ticket revenues per passenger increased 38.0% and 13.2% year over year for the fourth quarter of 2016, respectively. Non ticket revenue generation continues to grow with new product offerings such as priority boarding and additional insurance products. Moreover, we have enabled our products and services to be available after customers have checked in, promoting them on mobile channels with push notifications. We continue to expand our customer data analytics to fine tune our dynamic product pricing and increase reach for commission based revenues. Recently, due to regulatory changes we’ll charge for the first checked bag in flights to the USA and Puerto Rico, effective March 1st, 2017.
New routes: In the fourth quarter 2016, Volaris began operations in four new routes, one domestic (Tijuana-Toluca) and three international (Mexico City – San Francisco, Denver – Monterrey and San Jose, Costa Rica – Guatemala).
Exchange Rate and Fuel Price Pressure

In the fourth quarter 2016, Volaris continued to experience pressure in US-dollar denominated costs, such as aircraft and engine rent expenses, international airport costs, and maintenance expenses due to the depreciation of the Mexican peso. The CASM for the fourth quarter was Ps.133.5 cents, a 16.3% increase compared to the fourth quarter 2015, mainly driven by FX and fuel price pressures.

Young and Fuel Efficient Fleet, Increasing Seats per Aircraft

During the fourth quarter, the Company incorporated six additional aircraft comprised of two A320s and four A321s. As of December 31, 2016, Volaris fleet was composed of 69 aircraft (15 A319s, 44 A320s and 10 A321s), with an average age of 4.2 years. At the end of the fourth quarter 2016 Volaris’ fleet had an average of 178 seats, 61% of which were in sharklet-equipped aircraft.

Solid Balance Sheet with Strong Liquidity and Low Leverage

The net increase in cash and cash equivalents was equal to Ps.78 million and Ps.1,914 million during the fourth quarter and full year, respectively. As of December 31, 2016, Volaris’ unrestricted cash and cash equivalents balance was Ps.7,071 million. Volaris had negative net debt (or a positive net cash position) of Ps.5,077 million and total equity of Ps.10,794 million.

Active in Fuel Risk Management

Volaris remains active in its fuel risk management program. Volaris utilized call options to hedge 53% of its fourth quarter 2016 fuel consumption, at an average strike price of US $1.99 per gallon, which combined with the 47% unhedged consumption, resulted in a blended average economic fuel cost of US$1.7 per gallon.

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.