Volaris Sees 2024 Success Despite Challenges with Profitability
Volaris Financial Results Overview
MEXICO CITY — Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: VLRS and BMV: VOLAR) has unveiled its financial results for the fourth quarter and the entire year of 2024. The ultra-low-cost carrier experienced various challenges but managed to achieve significant milestones.
Highlights from the Fourth Quarter
The company reported a net income of $46 million, translating into earnings of 40 cents per share. While total operating revenues reached $835 million, it marked a 7% decline compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. This downturn stemmed mainly from unfavorable exchange rates and reduced available seat miles (ASMs).
Operational Metrics
During the fourth quarter, Volaris' operating insights included:
- Total operating revenues: $835 million
- Total capacity: 8.9 billion ASMs, down 5%
- Passenger counts: 7.8 million, a 4.8% decrease. Notably, domestic passengers fell by 7.7%, while international numbers increased by 4.0%.
- Load factor: 87.3%, reflecting a slight decrease of 0.8 percentage points.
Revenue and Expenses Insights
The total revenue per available seat mile (TRASM) dipped by 2% to $9.35 cents. However, ancillary revenue per passenger rose by 3.6%, indicating a shift in profitability strategies.
Total operating expenses amounted to $718 million, accounting for 86% of the total revenues, with a CASM of 8.04 cents, which represented a 2.9% increase. The average fuel cost saw a 20% reduction, dropping to $2.51 per gallon.
Performance for the Full Year 2024
Across the entire year, Volaris noted a net income of $126 million, or $1.10 per share. Annual operating revenues totaled $3,142 million, down 4% year-over-year. Despite the challenges faced, Volaris exhibited resilience, focusing on maintaining a robust EBITDAR margin of 36.3%, up by 11 percentage points from the previous year.
Key Year-End Indicators
The year brought numerous indicators of growth and efficiency:
- EBITDAR: $1,141 million, up 39% from 2023.
- Adjusted operating expenses: declined to $2,729 million, benefitting from cost control measures.
- Net debt-to-LTM EBITDAR ratio: improved to 2.6x from 3.3x in 2023, showcasing enhanced capital efficiency.
Looking Ahead: Plans for 2025
As Volaris looks towards 2025, the focus remains on tackling ongoing challenges from ongoing engine inspections that affect fleet operations. The strategic approach for the coming year emphasizes balancing growth while prioritizing profitability.
Enrique Beltranena, President & CEO, expressed confidence in the company’s future: “We are committed to maintaining our leadership position as the preferred airline in our core markets while navigating through the turbulence of operational demands.”
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What was Volaris' net income for the fourth quarter of 2024?
Volaris reported a net income of $46 million for the fourth quarter of 2024.
2. How did Volaris' operational capacity change in 2024?
The company's available seat miles (ASMs) decreased by 12.6% for the full year 2024 compared to the previous year.
3. What are Volaris' primary challenges for 2025?
Volaris faces challenges due to ongoing engine inspections that impact fleet availability and operational capacity.
4. How has the average fuel cost changed for Volaris?
Volaris saw a decrease in average fuel cost by 20% to $2.51 per gallon in the fourth quarter of 2024.
5. What is the company's outlook for 2025?
Volaris aims to focus on profitability while executing careful growth strategies, targeting ASM growth of around 13% for the year.
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