UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

FORM 6-K

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

 

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the month of February 2024

 

Commission File Number: 001-36059

 

Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, S.A.B. de C.V.

(Name of Registrant)

 

Av. Antonio Dovalí Jaime No. 70, 13 Floor, Tower B

Colonia Zedec Santa Fe

United Mexican States, Mexico City 01210

+(52) 55-5261-6400

 (Address of principal executive offices)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

 

Form 20-F  ☒                                            Form 40-F  ☐

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):   ☐

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):   ☐

 

 

 

 
 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

 

On February 26, 2024, Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: VLRS) issued a press release titled “Volaris Reports Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023: Net Income of $112 million” A copy of this press release is attached to this Form 6-K as Exhibit 99.1

 

  

 
 

SIGNATURES

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

     
  Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, S.A.B. de C.V.

Date: February 26, 2024 By: /s/ Enrique J. Beltranena Mejicano
  Name: Enrique J. Beltranena Mejicano
Title: Chief Executive Officer
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  By: /s/ Jaime E. Pous Fernández
 

Name: Jaime E. Pous Fernández

Title: Chief Financial Officer

   
   

 

 

 
 

EXHIBIT INDEX

   
     

Exhibit

 

Description

   
  99.1   Press release dated February 26, 2024, titled “Volaris Reports Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023: Net Income of $112 million”

 

 

 

Analyst coverage

Institution Analyst
AIR Control Tower Neil Glynn
Bank of America Rogerio Araujo
Banorte José Espitia
Barclays Pablo Monsivais
Bradesco Victor Mizusaki
BBVA Pablo Abraham
BTG Pactual Lucas Marquiori
Citi Stephen Trent
Cowen Helane Becker
Deutsche Bank Michael Linenberg
Evercore Duane Pfennigwerth
Goldman Sachs Bruno Amorim
HSBC Cenk Orçan
Intercam José María de las Rivas
J.P.Morgan Guilherme Mendes
UBS Alberto Valerio
Santander Pablo Ricalde
Signum Research Armando Rodríguez
Vector Marco Antonio Montañez

 

 

 

1 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

Annex - Financial derivate instruments

 

1)Management’s discussion about derivative financial instrument policies explaining whether these policies allow them to be used only for hedging or other purposes such as trading.

 

The Company´s activities are exposed to different financial risks resulting from exogenous variables that are not under its control, but whose effects can be potentially adverse. The Company’s global risk management program is focused on existing uncertainty in the financial markets and is intended to minimize potential adverse effects on net earnings and working capital requirements. Volaris uses derivative financial instruments to mitigate part of these risks and does not acquire financial derivative instruments for speculative or trading purposes.

 

The Company has a Risk Management team which identifies and evaluates the exposure to different financial risks, it is also in charge of designing strategies to mitigate them. Accordingly, it has a Hedging Policy in place and procedures related thereto, on which those strategies are based. All policies, procedures and strategies are approved by different administrative entities based on the Corporate Governance.

 

The Hedging Policy, as well as its processes are approved by different administrative entities according to the Corporate Governance. The Hedging Policy establishes that derivative financial instrument transactions will be approved and implemented/monitored by certain committees. Compliance with the Hedging Policy and its procedures are subject to internal and external audits as well as Corporate Governance.

 

The Hedging Policy holds a conservative position regarding derivative financial instruments, since it only allows the company to enter into positions that are correlated with the primary position to be hedged (in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards “IFRS”, under which the Company prepares its financial information). The Company’s objective is to apply hedge accounting treatment to all derivative financial instruments.

 

Volaris aims to transfer a portion of market risk to its financial counterparties through the use of derivative financial instruments, described as follows:

 

1.Fuel price fluctuation risk: Volaris’ contractual agreements with its fuel suppliers are linked to the market price index of the underlying asset; therefore, it is exposed to an increase in such price. Volaris enters into derivative financial instruments to hedge against significant increases in the fuel price. The instruments are traded on over the counter (“OTC”) markets, with approved counterparties and within limits specified on the Hedging Policy. As of the date of this report, Volaris does not have fuel derivative financial instruments.

 

2.Foreign currency risk: The Company's exposure to foreign currency risk in exchange rates is mainly related to its operating activities (that is, when income or expenses are denominated in another currency other than the functional currency of the Company). The majority of this exposure is related to payments and / or denominated in Mexican pesos. As of the date of presentation of this report, Volaris does not have foreign exchange derivative financial instruments.

 

3.Interest rate variation risk: The Company’s exposure to the risk of changes in market interest rates is related primarily to the Company’s debt obligations and operating lease with floating interest rates. The Company enters into derivative financial instruments in order to hedge a portion of such exposure, for which it uses interest rate swaps and options. These instruments are recognized as hedge accounting within the caption of the primary hedged position. As of the date of this report, the Company holds interest rate CAPs with TIIE 28 as underling for the Asset Backed Trust Notes.

 

Derivative financial instruments may require the granting of certain amounts as collateral over the portion of the loss not settled before maturity. The amount of collateral delivered in pledge, is recorded as part of “guarantee deposits”. It is assessed, reviewed and adjusted accordingly daily based on the fair value of the derivative financial instrument position.

2 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

Trading markets and eligible counterparties 

 

The Company only operates in over the counter (“OTC”) markets. To minimize counterparty risk, the Company enters into ISDA agreements with counterparties with recognized financial capacity; therefore, significant risks of default on any of them are not foreseen. As of December 31, 2023, the Company has 8 ISDAs in place with different financial institutions and no activity was registered during the fourth quarter 2023.

 

The Company only operates with financial counterparties with which it has an ISDA contract, except for the Asset Backed Trust Notes CAPs. Those agreements have a Credit Support Annex ("CSA") section, which sets credit conditions and guidelines for margin calls that are stipulated therein, including minimum amounts and rounding off. The contracting of derivative financial instruments is distributed among the different counterparties with the purpose of avoiding that their exposure falls on a single counterparty and making more efficient the use of the financial conditions of the different CSA, thus minimizing the potential margin calls.

 

 

2)Generic description of the valuation techniques, distinguishing instruments that are valued at cost or fair value, as well as valuation methods and techniques.

 

The designation of calculation agents is documented at the ISDAs whereby Volaris operates. The Company uses the valuations provided by the financial institutions of each derivative financial instrument. That fair value is compared with internally developed valuation techniques which use valid and recognized methodologies through which the fair value of derivative financial instruments is estimated based on the prices and variables quoted in the market of the assets of reference using Bloomberg as the main source of information.

 

In accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), the Company elaborates its financial statements; Volaris performs prospective effectiveness tests, as well as hedging records in which derivative financial instruments are classified in accordance with the type of underlying asset (monitored and updated constantly). As of the date of presentation of this report, all the Company's derivative financial instruments are considered effective and therefore classified to be recorded under hedge accounting assumptions.

 

3)Management discussion on internal and external sources of liquidity that could be used to meet the requirements related to derivative financial instruments.

 

The contracting of derivative financial instruments is distributed among the various counterparties with which the Company has signed a CSA, with the purpose of making the use of financial conditions more efficient; with the above, it manages to avoid that the exposure falls on a single counterparty. In the same way, different instruments and maturities are used to minimize potential margin calls. If the measures mentioned before were not sufficient, the Company has internal resources to meet the requirements related to derivative financial instruments.

   

4)Explanation of changes in exposure to the main risks identified and in managing them, as well as contingencies and events known or expected by management that can affect future reports.

 

The activities of the Company are exposed to different financial risks, among which the risk of fluctuations in the price of fuel, the risk of fluctuations in exchange rates and the risk of variations in market interest rates stand out. During the fourth quarter of 2023, there was no evidence of significant changes that could modify the exposure to the risks described above, a situation that can change in the future.

 

5)Quantitative information

 

As of the date of this report, all the derivative financial instruments held by the Company qualified as hedge accounting; for this reason, the changes in their fair value will only be the result of changes in the price levels of the underlying asset, and it will not modify the objective of the hedge for which it was initially entered for.

 

 

 

 

 

3 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

List of accounting policies

 

 

Basis of preparation

 

Statement of compliance

 

The unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements, which include the condensed consolidated statements of financial position as of December 31, 2023 (unaudited) and December 31, 2022 (audited) and the condensed consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, for the three months period ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 (unaudited) and the years ended December 31, 2023 (unaudited) and 2022 (audited), changes in equity and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2023 (unaudited) and 2022 (audited), have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard (“IAS”) 34 Interim Financial Reporting and using the same accounting policies as in preparing the annual financial statements, with the exceptions explained below.

 

The unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements do not include all the information and disclosures required in the annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2022, and 2021 (audited).

 

Items included in the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements of each of the Company’s entities are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which each entity operates (“functional currency”). The functional currency of Company and its subsidiary Concesionaria is the US dollar. The presentation currency of the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements is the US dollar. All values in the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements are rounded to the nearest thousand (US$000), except when otherwise indicated.

 

The Company has consistently applied its accounting policies to all periods presented in these financial statements and has provided comparative information for of the previous period.

 

Basis of measurement and presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared under the historical-cost convention, except for derivative financial instruments that are measured at fair value.

 

The preparation of the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements in accordance with IFRS requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements and notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

a)Basis of consolidation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements comprise the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries. On December 31, 2023 (unaudited) and December 31, 2022 (audited), for accounting purposes the companies included in the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements are as follows:

 

 

4 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

Name

Principal

Activities

Country % Equity interest
December 31, 2023

December 31

2022

Concesionaria Vuela Compañía de Aviación S.A. P. I. de C.V. Air transportation services for passengers, cargo and mail throughout Mexico and abroad Mexico 100% 100%
Vuela Aviación, S.A. Air transportation services for passengers, cargo and mail in Costa Rica and abroad Costa Rica 100% 100%
Vuela, S.A. (“Vuela”) (7) Air transportation services for passengers, cargo and mail in Guatemala and abroad Guatemala 100% 100%
Vuela El Salvador, S.A. de C.V. Air transportation services for passengers, cargo and mail in El Salvador and abroad El Salvador 100% 100%
Comercializadora Volaris, S.A. de C.V. (“Comercializadora”) Merchandising of services Mexico 100% 100%
Servicios Earhart, S.A. (7) Rendering specialized services to its affiliates Guatemala 100% 100%
Servicios Corporativos Volaris, S.A. de C.V.
 (“Servicios Corporativos”)
Rendering specialized services to its affiliates Mexico 100% 100%
Comercializadora V Frecuenta, S.A. de C.V.
 (“Loyalty Program”) (7)
Loyalty Program Mexico 100% 100%
Viajes Vuela, S.A. de C.V. (“Viajes Vuela”) Travel agency Mexico 100% 100%
Guatemala Dispatch Service, S.A., (“GDS, S.A.”) Aeronautical Technical Services Guatemala 100% 100%
CIBanco, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, Fideicomiso 1710 (1) Pre-delivery payments financing Mexico - 100%
CIBanco, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, Fideicomiso 1711 (2) Pre-delivery payments financing Mexico - 100%
Fideicomiso Irrevocable de Administración número F/307750 “Administrative Trust” (8) Share administration trust Mexico - 100%
Fideicomiso Irrevocable de Administración número F/745291 “Administrative Trust” Share administration trust Mexico 100% 100%
Fideicomiso de Administración número CIB/3081 “Administrative Trust” Share administration trust Mexico

 

100%

 

100%

Fideicomiso Irrevocable de Administración número CIB/3249 “Administrative Trust” Asset backed securities trustor and administrator Mexico 100% 100%
CIBanco, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, Fideicomiso CIB/3853 (3) Pre-delivery payments financing Mexico 100% 100%
CIBanco, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, Fideicomiso CIB/3855 (4) Pre-delivery payments financing Mexico 100% 100%
CIBanco, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, Fideicomiso CIB/3866 (4) Pre-delivery payments financing Mexico 100% 100%
CIBanco, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, Fideicomiso CIB/3867 (5) Pre-delivery payments financing Mexico 100% 100%
CIBanco, S. A, Institución de Banca Múltiple, Fideicomiso CIB/3921 (6) Pre-delivery payments financing Mexico 100% 100%

 

(1)With effect from January 20, 2023, the Trust 1710 was extinguished.
(2)With effect from January 20, 2023, the Trust 1711 was extinguished.
(3)With effect from June 8, 2022, the trust was constituted.
(4)With effect from April 1st, 2022, the trusts were constituted.
(5)With effect from April 13, 2022, the trust was constituted.
(6)With effect from July 21, 2022, the trust was constituted.
(7)The Companies have not started operations.
(8)The Trust was terminated on August 9, 2022.

 

The financial statements of the subsidiaries are prepared for the same reporting period as the parent Company, using consistent accounting policies.

 

Control is achieved when the Company is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the investee. Specifically, the Company controls an investee if, and only if, the Company has:

 

(i)Power over the investee (i.e., existing rights that give it the current ability to direct the relevant activities of the investee).
(ii)Exposure, or rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee.
(iii)The ability to use its power over the investee to affect its returns. 

 

When the Company has less than a majority of the voting or similar rights of an investee, the Company considers all relevant facts and circumstances in assessing whether it has power over an investee, including:

 

(i)       The contractual arrangement with the other vote holders of the investee.

(ii)       Rights arising from other contractual arrangements, and

(iii)       The Company’s voting rights and potential voting rights.

 

The Company re-assesses whether or not it controls an investee if facts and circumstances indicate that there are changes to one or more of the three elements of control. Consolidation of a subsidiary begins when the Company obtains control over the subsidiary and ceases when the Company loses control of the subsidiary. Assets, liabilities, income and expenses of a subsidiary acquired or disposed of during the year are included in the condensed consolidated financial statements from the date the Company gains control until the date the Company ceases to control the subsidiary.

5 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

All intercompany balances, transactions, unrealized gains and losses resulting from intercompany transactions are eliminated in full on consolidation in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

On consolidation, the assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into US dollar at the exchange rates prevailing at the reporting date and their statements of profit or loss are translated at the average exchange rates prevailing at the time. The exchange differences arising on translation for consolidation are recognized in other comprehensive income (“OCI”). On disposal of a foreign operation, the component of OCI relating to that particular foreign operation is recognized in profit or loss.

 

b)Revenue recognition

 

Passenger revenues

 

Revenues from the air transportation of passengers are recognized at the earlier of when the service is provided or when the non-refundable ticket expires at the date of the scheduled travel.

 

Ticket sales for future flights are initially recognized as contract liabilities under the caption “unearned transportation revenue” and, once the transportation service is provided by the Company or when the non-refundable ticket expires at the date of the scheduled travel, the earned revenue is recognized as passenger ticket revenue and the unearned transportation revenue is reduced by the same amount. All the Company’s tickets are non-refundable and are subject to change upon a payment of a fee. Additionally, the Company does not operate a frequent flier program.

 

The most significant passenger revenue includes revenues generated from: (i) fare revenue and (ii) other passenger revenues. Other passenger services include but are not limited to fees charged for excess baggage, bookings through the call center or third-party agencies, advanced seat selection, itinerary changes and charters. They are recognized as revenue when the obligation of passenger transportation service is provided by the Company or when the non-refundable ticket expires at the date of the scheduled travel.

 

The Company also classifies as other passenger revenue “V Club” and other similar services, which are recognized as revenue over time when the service is provided.

 

The Company sells certain tickets with connecting flights with one or more segments operated by its other airline partner. For segments operated by its other airline partner, the Company has determined that it is acting as an agent on behalf of the other airline as is responsible for its portion of the contract (i.e., transportation of the passenger). The Company, as the agent, recognizes revenue within other operating revenue at the time of the travel, for the net amount retained by the Company for any segments flown by other airline.

 

Non-passenger revenues

 

The most significant non-passenger revenues include revenues generated from: (i) revenues from other non-passenger services described below and (ii) cargo services.

 

Revenues from other non-passenger services mainly include but are not limited to commissions charged to third parties for the sale of trip insurance, rental cars and advertising spaces to third parties. These as well as cargo services are recognized as revenue at the time the service is provided.

 

The Company also evaluated the principal versus agent considerations as it relates to certain non-air travel services arrangements with third party providers. No changes were identified under this analysis as the Company is agent for those services provided by third parties.

 

 

6 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

Code-share agreement

 

On January 16, 2018, the Company and Frontier Airlines (herein after Frontier) entered into a code-share operations agreement, which started operations in September 2018.

 

Through this alliance, the Company´s customers gain access to additional cities in the U.S. beyond the current available destinations as the Company’s customers are able to buy a ticket throughout any of Frontier’s actual destinations; and Frontier customers gain first-time access to new destinations in Mexico through Volaris presence in Mexican airports.

 

Code-share tickets can be purchased directly from the Volaris’ website. The airline that provides the transportation recognize the revenue when the service is provided to the customer.

 

Other considerations analyzed as part of revenue from contracts with customers

 

All revenues offered by the Company including sales of tickets for future flights, other passenger related services and non-passenger revenue must be paid through a full cash settlement. The payment of the transaction price is equal to the cash settlement from the client at the sales time (using different payment options like credit or debit cards, paying through a third party or directly at the counter in cash). There is little or no judgment to determine the point in time of the revenue recognition, and the amount of it. Even if mainly all the sales of services are initially recognized as contract liabilities, there is no financing component in these transactions.

 

The cost to obtain a contract is represented by the commissions paid to the travel agencies and the bank commissions charged by the financial institutions for processing electronic transactions. The Company does not incur any additional costs to obtain and fulfill a contract that is eligible for capitalization.

 

Trade receivables are mainly with financial institutions due to transactions with credit and debit cards, and therefore they are non-interest bearing and are mainly on terms of 24 to 48 hours. The Company has the right of collection at the beginning of the contracts and there are no discounts, payment incentives, bonuses, or other variable considerations subsequent to the purchase that could modify the amount of the transaction price.

 

The Company´s tickets are non-refundable. However, if the Company cancels a flight for causes attributable to the airline, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, then the passenger is entitled to either move their flight at no cost, receive a refund or a voucher. No revenue is recognized until either the COVID-19 voucher is redeemed, and the associate flight occurs, or the voucher expires. When vouchers issued exceed the amount of the original amount paid by the passenger the excess is recorded as reduction of the operating revenues. All of the Company´s revenues related to future services are rendered through an approximate period of 12 months.

 

c)Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

Cash and cash equivalents are represented by bank deposits and highly liquid investments with maturities of 90 days or less at the original purchase date. For the purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and short-term investments as defined above.

 

The Company has agreements with financial institutions that process customer credit card transactions for the sale of air travel and other services. These credit card processing agreements do not have significant cash reserve requirements.

 

Restricted cash are used to constitute the debt service reserves and cannot be used for purposes other than those established.

 

d)Short-term investments

 

Short-term investments consist of fixed-term bank deposits with a maturity of more than three but less than twelve months. Management determines the appropriate classification of investments at the time of acquisition and evaluates any changes impact as of the consolidated financial statements presentation date.

7 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

e)Financial instruments initial recognition and subsequent measurement

 

A financial instrument is any contract that gives rise to a financial asset for one entity and a financial liability or equity instrument for another entity.

 

i) Financial assets

 

Initial recognition

 

Classification of financial assets and initial recognition

 

The Company determines the classification and measurement of financial assets, in accordance with the categories in IFRS 9, which are based on both: the characteristics of the contractual cash flows of these assets and the business model objective for holding them.

 

Financial assets include those carried at fair value through profit and losses (“FVTPL”), whose objective to hold them is for trading purposes (short-term investments), or at amortized cost, for accounts receivables held to collect the contractual cash flows, which are characterized by solely payments of principal and interest (“SPPI”). Derivative financial instruments are also considered financial assets when these represent contractual rights to receive cash or another financial asset. All the Company’s financial assets are initially recognized at fair value, including derivative financial instruments.

 

Subsequent measurement

 

The subsequent measurement of financial assets depends on their initial classification, as is described below:

 

1.Financial assets at FVTPL which include financial assets held for trading.
2.Financial assets at amortized cost, whose characteristics meet the SPPI criterion and were originated to be held to collect principal and interest in accordance with the Company’s business model.
3.Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income (“OCI”) with recycling of cumulative gains and losses.

 

Derecognition

 

A financial asset (or, where applicable, a part of a financial asset or part of a group of similar financial assets) is derecognized when:

 

a)The rights to receive cash flows from the asset have expired;

 

b)The Company has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from the asset or has assumed an obligation to pay the received cash flows in full without material delay to a third party under a ‘pass-through’ arrangement; and either (i) the Company has transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, or (ii) the Company has neither transferred nor retained substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, but has transferred control of the asset; or

 

When the Company has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from an asset or has entered into a pass-through arrangement, it evaluates if and to what extent it has retained the risks and rewards of ownership. When it has neither transferred nor retained substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, nor transferred control of the asset, the asset is recognized to the extent of the Company’s continuing involvement in the asset.

 

In that case, the Company also recognizes an associated liability. The transferred asset and the associated liability are measured on a basis that reflects the rights and obligations that the Company has retained.

 

8 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

ii) Impairment of financial assets

 

The Company assesses at each reporting date, whether there is objective evidence that a financial asset or a group of financial assets is credit - impaired. A financial asset is credit- impaired when one or more events have occurred since the initial recognition of an asset (an incurred ‘loss event’), that has an impact on the estimated future cash flows of the financial asset or the group of financial assets that can be reliably estimated.

 

Evidence that a financial asset is credit - impaired may of impairment may include indications that the debtors or a group of debtors is experiencing significant financial difficulty, default or delinquency in receivable, the probability that they will enter bankruptcy or other financial reorganization and observable data indicating that there is a measurable decrease in the estimated cash flows, such as changes in arrears or economic conditions that correlate with defaults. Further disclosures related to impairment of financial assets are also provided.

 

For trade receivables, the Company applies a simplified approach in calculating Expected Credit Losses (ECLs). Therefore, the Company does not track changes in credit risk, but instead recognizes a loss allowance based on lifetime ECLs at each reporting date.

 

Based on this evaluation, allowances are taken into account for the expected losses of these receivables.

 

iii) Financial liabilities

 

Initial recognition and measurement

 

Financial liabilities are classified, at initial recognition, as financial liabilities at FVTPL, including loans and borrowings, accounts payables to suppliers, unearned transportation revenue, other accounts payable and financial instruments.

 

All financial liabilities are recognized initially at fair value and, in the case of loans and borrowings and payables, net of directly attributable transaction costs.

 

Subsequent measurement

 

The measurement of financial liabilities depends on their classification as described below:

 

Financial liabilities at amortized cost

 

Accounts payable, are subsequently measured at amortized cost and do not bear interest or result in gains and losses due to their short-term nature.

 

Loans and borrowings are the category most relevant to the Company. After initial recognition at fair value (consideration received), interest bearing loans and borrowings are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the Effective Interest Rate method (EIR). Gains and losses are recognized in profit or loss when the liabilities are derecognized as well as through the EIR amortization process.

 

Amortized cost is calculated by taking into account any discount or premium on issuance and fees or costs that are an integral part of the EIR. The EIR amortization is included as finance costs in the consolidated statements of operations. This amortized cost category generally applies to interest-bearing loans and borrowings.

 

Financial liabilities at FVTPL

 

Financial liabilities at FVTPL include financial liabilities under the fair value option, which are classified as held for trading, if they are acquired for the purpose of selling them in the near future. This category includes derivative financial instruments that are not designated as hedging instruments in hedge relationships as defined by IFRS 9.

9 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

Derecognition

 

A financial liability is derecognized when the obligation under the liability is discharged or cancelled or expires.

 

When an existing financial liability is replaced by another from the same lender on substantially different terms, or the terms of an existing liability are substantially modified, such an exchange or modification is treated as the derecognition of the original liability and the recognition of a new liability.

 

The difference in the respective carrying amounts is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

Offsetting of financial instruments

 

Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset, and the net amount is reported in the consolidated statement of financial position if there is:

 

(i)A currently enforceable legal right to offset the recognized amounts, and
(ii)An intention to settle on a net basis, to realize the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously.

 

f)Other accounts receivable

 

Other accounts receivable are due primarily from major credit card processors associated with the sales of tickets and are stated at cost less allowances made for credit losses, which approximates fair value given their short-term nature.

 

g)Inventories

 

Inventories consist primarily of flight equipment expendable parts, materials and supplies, and are initially recorded at acquisition cost. Inventories are carried at the lower of cost and their net realization value. The cost is determined based on the method of specific identification and expensed when used in operations. The Company recognizes the necessary estimates for decreases in the value of its inventories due to impairment, obsolescence, slow movement and causes that indicate that the use or realization of the aircraft spare parts and flight equipment accessories that are part of the inventory will be less than recorded value. The cost of inventories is determined based on the specific identification method and is recorded as an expense as it is used in operations.

 

h)Intangible assets

 

Cost related to the purchase or development of computer software that is separable from an item of related hardware is capitalized separately measured at cost and amortized over the period in which it will generate benefits on a straight-line basis. The Company annually reviews the estimated useful lives and salvage values of intangible assets and any changes are accounted for prospectively.

 

The Company records impairment charges on intangible assets used in operations when events and circumstances indicate that the assets or related cash generating unit may be impaired and the carrying amount of a long-lived asset or cash generating unit exceeds its recoverable amount, which is the higher of (i) its fair value less cost to sell, and (ii) its value in use.

 

The value in use calculation is based on a discounted cash flow model, using our projections of operating results for the near future. The recoverable amount of long-lived assets is sensitive to the uncertainties inherent in the preparation of projections and the discount rate used in the calculation.

 

 

10 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

Software

 

Acquired computer software licenses are capitalized on the basis of cost incurred to acquire, implement and bring the software into use. Costs associated with maintaining computer software programs are expensed as incurred. In case of development or improvement to systems that will generate probable future economic benefits, the Company capitalizes software development costs, including directly attributable expenditures on materials, labor, and other direct costs.

 

Acquired software cost is amortized on a straight-line basis over its useful life. Licenses and software rights acquired by the Company have finite useful lives and are amortized on a straight–line basis over the term of the contract. Amortization expense is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

i)Assets held for sale

Assets held for sale, formerly non-current assets or groups of assets that are expected to be sold within the next twelve months are measured at the lower of their carrying amount at the time they are reclassified and fair value less sell costs. Fair value less sell costs is derived from recent market transactions, if available.

j)Guarantee deposits

 

Guarantee deposits primarily include of aircraft maintenance deposits paid to lessors, deposits for rent of flight equipment and other guarantee deposits. Aircraft and engine deposits are held by lessors in U.S. dollars and are presented as current assets and non-current assets, based on the recovery dates of each deposit established in the related agreements.

 

Deposits for flight equipment maintenance paid to lessors

 

Most of the Company's lease contracts stipulate the obligation to pay maintenance deposits to aircraft lessors, in order to guarantee major maintenance work.

 

These lease agreements establish that maintenance deposits are reimbursable to the Company at the time the major maintenance event is concluded for an amount equal to: (i) the maintenance deposit held by the lessor associated with the specific maintenance event, or (ii) the qualifying costs related to the specific maintenance event.

 

Substantially all major maintenance deposits are generally calculated based on the use of leased aircraft and engines (flight hours or operating cycles). The sole purpose of these deposits is to guarantee to the lessor the execution of maintenance work on the aircraft and engines.

 

Maintenance deposits that the Company expects to recover from lessors are presented as security deposits in the consolidated statement of financial position.

 

According to the term of the lease, in each contract it is evaluated whether major maintenance of the leased aircraft and engines is expected to be carried out. In the event that major maintenance is not expected to be performed on its own account, the deposit is recorded as a variable lease payment, since it represents part of the use of the leased goods and is determined based on time or flight cycles.

 

When modifications are made to the lease agreements that entail an extension of the lease term, the maintenance deposits which had been recorded previously as variable lease payments can be converted into recoverable deposits and presented as recoverable assets, at the modification date.

 

Certain other aircraft lease agreements do not require the obligation to pay maintenance deposits in advance to lessors to guarantee important maintenance activities; therefore, the Company does not record or make payments for guarantee deposits with respect to these aircrafts. However, some of these lease agreements include the obligation to make maintenance adjustment payments to lessors at the end of the lease period. These maintenance adjustments cover maintenance events that are not expected to be performed before the termination of the lease; for such agreements, the Company accumulates a liability related to the amount of the costs that will be incurred at the end of the lease, since no maintenance deposits have been made.

11 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

k)Aircraft and engine maintenance

 

The Company is required to conduct various levels of aircraft maintenance. Maintenance requirements depend on the type of aircraft, age and the route network over which it operates utilization.

 

Fleet maintenance requirements may include preventive maintenance tasks based on manufacturers recommendations, for example, component checks, monthly checks, airframe and systems checks, periodic major maintenance and engine checks.

 

Aircraft maintenance and repair consists of routine and non-routine tasks, divided mainly into three general categories: (i) routine line maintenance, (ii) major maintenance and (iii) component service.

 

(i) Routine line maintenance requirements consist of scheduled maintenance checks on the Company’s aircraft, including pre-flight, daily, weekly and overnight checks, any diagnostics and routine repairs and any unscheduled maintenance is performed as required. These type of maintenance events are normally performed by in-house mechanics and are primarily completed at the main airports that the Company currently serves, supported by sub-contracted companies.

 

Other maintenance activities are sub-contracted to certified maintenance business partners, repair and overhaul organizations. Routine maintenance also includes scheduled tasks that can typically take from 6 to 12 days to accomplish and are required between every 24 or 36 months, such as 24-month checks and C checks. All routine maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.

 

(ii) Major maintenance for the aircraft consists of a series of more complex tasks, including structural checks for the airframe, that can take up to six weeks to accomplish and typically are required every six years.

 

Major maintenance is accounted for under the deferral method, whereby the cost of major maintenance, major overhaul and repair is capitalized (leasehold improvements to flight equipment) and amortized over the shorter of the period to the next major maintenance event or the remaining contractual lease term. The next major maintenance event is estimated based on assumptions including estimated time of usage. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) and the Mexican Federal Civil Aviation Agency (Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil- AFAC) mandate maintenance intervals and average removal times as recommended by the manufacturer.

 

These assumptions may change based on changes in the utilization of aircraft, changes in government regulations and recommended manufacturer maintenance intervals. In addition, these assumptions can be affected by unplanned incidents that could damage an airframe, engine, or major component to a level that would require a heavy maintenance event prior to a scheduled maintenance event. To the extent the planned usage increases, the estimated life would decrease before the next maintenance event, resulting in additional expense over a shorter period.

 

The amortization of deferred maintenance costs is recorded as part of depreciation and amortization in the consolidated statements of operations.

(iii) The Company has a power-by-the hour agreement for component services, which guarantees the availability of aircraft components for the Company’s fleet when they are required. It also provides aircraft components that are included in the redelivery conditions of the contract (hard time) with a fixed priced at the time of redelivery. The monthly maintenance cost associated with this agreement is recognized as incurred in the consolidated statements of operations.

The Company has an engine flight hour agreement (component repair agreement), that guarantees a cost for the engines shop visits, provides miscellaneous engines coverage, supports the cost of foreign objects damage events, ensures there is protection from annual escalations, and grants credit for certain scrapped components. The cost associated with the miscellaneous engines’ coverage is recorded monthly as incurred in the consolidated statements of operations.

12 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

l)Rotable spare parts, furniture and equipment, net

 

Rotable spare parts, furniture and equipment, are recorded at cost and are depreciated to estimated residual values over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method.

 

Aircraft spare engines have significant components with different useful lives; therefore, they are accounted for as separate items of spare engine parts (major components).

 

Pre-delivery payments refer to prepayments made to aircraft and engine manufacturers during the manufacturing stage of the aircraft. The borrowing costs related to the acquisition or construction of a qualifying asset are capitalized as part of the cost of that asset.

 

Depreciation rates are as follows:

  Annual
depreciation rate
Flight equipment 4.0-16.7%
Constructions and improvements Remaining contractual lease term
Computer equipment 25%
Workshop tools 33.3%
Electric power equipment 10%
Communications equipment 10%
Workshop machinery and equipment 10%
Motorized transport equipment platform 25%
Service carts on board 20%
Office furniture and equipment 10%
Leasehold improvements to flight equipment

The shorter of: (i) remaining contractual lease

term, or (ii) the next major maintenance event

 

The Company reviews annually the useful lives of these assets and any changes are accounted for prospectively.

 

The Company identified one Cash Generating Unit (CGU), which includes the entire aircraft fleet and flight equipment. The Company assesses at each reporting date, whether there is objective evidence that rotable spare parts, furniture and equipment and right of use asset are impaired in the CGU. The Company records impairment charges on rotable spare parts, furniture and equipment and right of use assets used in operations when events and circumstances indicate that the assets may be impaired or when the carrying amount of a long-lived asset or related cash generating unit exceeds its recoverable amount, which is the higher of (i) its fair value less cost to sell and (ii) its value in use.

 

The value in use calculation is based on a discounted cash flow model, using projections of operating results for the near future. The recoverable amount of long-lived assets is sensitive to the uncertainties inherent in the preparation of projections and the discount rate used in the calculation.

 

 

m)Foreign currency transactions and exchange differences

 

The Company’s consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars, which is the functional currency of the parent company and its main subsidiaries. For each subsidiary, the Company determines the functional currency and items included in the financial statements of each entity are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which each entity operates (“the functional currency”).

 

The financial statements of foreign operations prepared under IFRS and denominated in their respective local currencies different from its functional currency are remeasured into their functional currency as follows:

 

·Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into the respective functional currencies at the exchange rates at the dates of the transactions.

13 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

·All monetary assets and liabilities are translated into the functional currency at the exchange rate at the consolidated statement of financial reporting date.
·All non-monetary items that are measured based on historical cost in a foreign currency are translated at the exchange rate at the date of the transaction.
·Equity accounts are translated at the prevailing exchange rate at the time the capital contributions were made, and the profits were generated.
·Revenues, costs and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate during the applicable period.

 

Any differences resulting from the remeasurement into the respective functional currency are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

Assets and liabilities from foreign subsidiaries are converted from the functional currency to the presentation currency at the exchange rate on the reporting date; revenues and expenses are translated at each month during the year at the monthly average exchange rate.

 

Foreign currency differences arising on translation into the presentation currency are recognized in OCI.

 

n)Liabilities and provisions

 

Provisions are recognized when the Company has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. If the effect of the time value of money is material, provisions are discounted using a current pre-tax rate that reflects, where appropriate, the risks specific to the liability. Where discounting is used, the increase in the provision due to the passage of time is recognized as a finance cost.

 

o)Employee benefits

 

i) Personnel vacations

 

The Company and its subsidiaries in Mexico and Central America recognize a reserve for the costs of paid absences, such as vacation time, based on the accrual method.

 

ii) Termination benefits

 

The Company recognizes a liability and expense for termination benefits at the earlier of the following dates:

 

a) When it can no longer withdraw the offer of those benefits; and

 

b) When it recognizes costs for a restructuring that is within the scope of IAS 37, Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets, and involves the payment of termination benefits.

 

The Company is demonstrably committed to a termination when, and only when, it has a detailed formal plan for the termination and is without realistic possibility of withdrawal.

 

iii) Seniority premiums

 

In accordance with Mexican Labor Law, the Company provides seniority premium benefits to the employees which rendered services to its Mexican subsidiaries under certain circumstances. These benefits consist of a one-time payment equivalent to 12 days’ wages for each year of service (at the employee’s most recent salary, but not to exceed twice the legal minimum wage), payable to all employees with 15 or more years of service, as well as to certain employees terminated involuntarily prior to the vesting of their seniority premium benefit.

 

14 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

Obligations relating to seniority premiums other than those arising from restructurings, are recognized based upon actuarial calculations and are determined using the projected unit credit method.

 

The latest actuarial computation was prepared as of December 31, 2023. Remeasurement of the net defined benefit liability arising from actuarial gains and losses are recognized in full in the period in which they occur in OCI. Such remeasurement gains and losses are not reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods.

 

The defined benefit asset or liability comprises the present value of the defined benefit obligation using a discount rate based on government bonds, less the fair value of plan assets out of which the obligations are to be settled.

 

For entities in Costa Rica, Guatemala and El Salvador there is no obligation to pay seniority premium, these countries have Post- Employee Benefits.

 

iv) Incentives

 

The Company has a quarterly incentive plan for certain personnel whereby cash bonuses are awarded for meeting certain performance targets. These incentives are payable shortly after the end of each quarter and are accounted for as a short-term benefit under IAS 19, Employee Benefits. A provision is recognized based on the estimated amount of the incentive payment.

 

The Company has a short-term benefit plan for certain key personnel whereby cash bonuses are awarded when certain Company’s performance targets are met. These incentives are payable shortly after the end of each year and also are accounted for as a short-term benefit under IAS 19. A provision is recognized based on the estimated amount of the incentive payment.

 

v) Long-term incentive plan (“LTIP”) and long-term retention plan (LTRP)

 

The Company has adopted a Long-term incentive plan (“LTIP”). This plan consists of a share purchase plan (equity-settled) and a share appreciation rights “SARs” plan (cash settled), and therefore accounted under IFRS 2 “Share based payment”.

 

The Company measures the cost of its equity-settled transactions at fair value at the date the equity benefits are conditionally granted to employees. The cost of equity-settled transactions is recognized in the statement of operations, together with a corresponding increase in treasury shares, over the period in which the performance and/or service conditions are fulfilled.

 

During 2022, the Company approved a new long-term retention plan (“LTRP”), which consisted in a purchase plan (equity-settled). This plan does not include cash compensation granted through appreciation rights on the Company’s shares. The retention plans granted in previous periods will continue in full force and effect until their respective due dates and the cash compensation derived from them will be settled according to the conditions established in each plan.

 

vi) Share-based payments

a) LTIP

- Share purchase plan (equity-settled)

 

Certain key employees of the Company receive additional benefits through a share purchase plan denominated in Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”), which has been classified as an equity-settled share-based payment. The cost of the equity-settled share purchase plan is measured at grant date, taking into account the terms and conditions on which the share options were granted. The equity-settled compensation cost is recognized in the consolidated statement of operations under the caption of salaries and benefits, over the required service period.

15 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

- SARs plan (cash settled)

The Company granted SARs to key employees, which entitle them to a cash payment after a service period.

The amount of the cash payment is determined based on the increase in the share price of the Company between the grant date and the time of exercise. The liability for the SARs is measured, initially and at the end of each reporting period until settled, at the fair value of the SARs, taking into account the terms and conditions on which the SARs were granted. The compensation cost is recognized in the consolidated statement of operations under the caption of salaries and benefits, over the required service period.

The cost of the SARs plan is measured initially at fair value at the grant date. This fair value is expensed over the period until the vesting date with recognition of a corresponding liability. Similar to the equity settled awards described above, the valuation of cash settled award also requires using similar inputs, as appropriate.

 

b) Management incentive plan (“MIP”)

- MIP I

 

Certain key employees of the Company receive additional benefits through a share purchase plan, which has been classified as an equity-settled share-based payment. The equity-settled compensation cost is recognized in the consolidated statement of operations under the caption of salaries and benefits, over the required service period. The total cost of this plan has been totally recognized during the required service period.

 

- MIP II

 

On February 19, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized an extension to the MIP for certain key employees, this plan was named MIP II. In accordance with this plan, the Company granted SARs to key employees, which entitle them to a cash payment after a service period. The amount of the cash payment is determined based on the increase in the share price of the Company between the grant date and the time of exercise. The liability for the SARs is measured initially and at the end of each reporting period until settled at the fair value of the SARs, taking into account the terms and conditions on which the SARs were granted. The compensation cost is recognized in the consolidated statement of operations under the caption of salaries and benefits, over the required service period.

 

c) Board of Directors Incentive Plan (BoDIP)

 

Certain members of the Board of Directors of the Company receive additional benefits through a share-based plan, which has been classified as an equity-settled share-based payment and therefore accounted under IFRS “Share based payment”.

 

In April 2018, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized a Board of Directors Incentive Plan “BoDIP”, for the benefit of certain board members. The BoDIP grants options to acquire shares of the Company or CPOs during a five-year period, which was determined on the grant date. Under this plan, no service or performance conditions are required to the board members for exercise the option to acquire shares, and therefore, they have the right to request the delivery of those shares at the time they pay for them.

 

vii) Employee profit sharing

 

The Mexican Income Tax Law (“MITL”), establishes that the base for computing current year employee profit sharing shall be the taxpayer’s taxable income of the year for income tax purposes, including certain adjustments established in the Income Tax Law, at the rate of 10%. The Mexican Federal Labor Law (“MFLL”) establishes a limit for employee profit sharing payment, up to three months of the employee´s current salary or the average employee profit sharing received by the employee in the previous three years. Subsidiaries in Central America do not have such profit-sharing benefit, as it is not required by local regulations.

 

16 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

p)Leases

 

The Company assesses at contract inception whether a contract is, or contains, a lease. That is, if the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period in exchange for consideration.

 

The Company applies a single recognition and measurement approach for all leases, except for short-term leases and leases of low-value assets. The Company recognizes lease liabilities for payments to be made under the lease term and right-of-use assets representing the right to use the underlying assets.

 

i.Right-of-use assets

 

The Company recognizes right-of-use assets at the commencement date of the lease. Right-of-use assets are measured at cost, less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses, and adjusted for any remeasurement of lease liabilities. The cost of right-of-use assets includes the amount of lease liabilities recognized, initial direct costs incurred, an estimate of costs to be incurred by the Company in dismantling and removing the underlying asset to the condition required by the terms and conditions of the lease, and lease payments made at or before the commencement date less any lease incentives received.

 

Components of the right-of-use assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the remining lease term and the estimated useful lives of the assets, as follows:

 

Aircraft and engines up to 18 years
Spare engines up to 18 years
Buildings leases up to ten years
Maintenance component up to eight years

 

ii.Lease Liabilities

 

At the commencement date of the lease, the Company recognizes lease liabilities measured at the present value of lease payments to be made over the lease term. The lease payments include fixed payments less any lease incentives receivable, variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate, and amounts expected to be paid under residual value guarantees.

 

Variable lease payments that do not depend on an index or a rate are recognized as expenses in the period in which the event or condition that triggers the payment occurs.

 

In calculating the present value of lease payments, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement date because the interest rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable. After the commencement date, the amount of lease liabilities is increased to reflect the accretion of interest and reduced for the lease payments made. In addition, the carrying amount of lease liabilities is remeasured if there is a modification, a change in the lease term, a change in the lease payments or a change in the assessment of an option to purchase the underlying asset.

 

The short-term leases and leases of low value assets are recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, there were no impairment charges recorded in respect of the right-of-use assets.

 

iii.Sale and leaseback

 

The Company enters into agreements whereby an aircraft or engine is sold to a lessor upon delivery and the lessor agrees to lease such aircraft or engine back to the Company.

 

The Company measures the right-of-use asset arising from the leaseback at the proportion of the previous carrying amount of the asset that relates to the right of use retained by the seller-lessee. Accordingly, the Company recognizes in the Consolidated Statement of Operations only the amount of any gain or loss that relates to the rights transferred to the buyer-lessor. If the fair value of the consideration for the sale of an asset does not equal the fair value of the asset, or if the payments for the lease are not at market rates, then the Company adjusts the difference to measure the sale proceeds at fair value and accounts for any below-market terms as a prepayment of lease payments and any above market terms as additional financing provided by the buyer-lessor to the seller-lessee.

17 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

First, the sale and leaseback transactions are analyzed within the scope of IFRS 15 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers, in order to verify whether the performance obligation has been satisfied and, therefore, are accounted for the sale of the asset. If this requirement is not met, it is a financing with the asset given as collateral. If the requirements related to the performance obligation established in IFRS 15 are met, the Company measures an asset for right of use that arises from the sale transaction with subsequent lease in proportion to the book value of the asset related to the right-of-use assets retained by the Company. Consequently, only the gains or losses related to the rights transferred to the lessor-buyer are recognized.

 

In cases of sale and leaseback transactions, if the transfer of the asset to the lessor does not qualify as a sale, then the transaction is deemed a failed sale and is accounted for as a financing transaction. For a sale to occur, control of the asset must be transferred to the lessor, and the lessor needs to obtain substantially all the benefits of the asset’s use. The company entered into eight sale and leaseback transactions for engines that qualified as failed sale and leaseback transactions because the company has the option to purchase the engines at the end of the lease term. The asset has been included in property, plant, and equipment, and depreciation is calculated based on the financing term.

 

q)Return obligations

 

The aircraft lease agreements of the Company also require that the aircraft components (airframe, APU and landing gears) and engines (overhaul and limited life parts) be returned to lessors under specific conditions of maintenance. The costs of return, which in no case are related to scheduled major maintenance, are estimated, and recognized ratably as a provision from the time it becomes likely such costs will be incurred and can be estimated reliably. These return costs are recognized on a straight-line basis as a component of variable lease expenses and the provision is included as part of other liabilities, through the remaining lease term. The Company estimates the provision related to aircraft components and engines using certain assumptions including the projected usage of the aircraft and the expected costs of maintenance tasks to be performed. This provision is made in relation to the present value of the expected future costs of meeting the return conditions.

 

r)Other taxes and fees payable

 

The Company is required to collect certain taxes and fees from customers on behalf of government agencies and airports and to remit these to the applicable governmental entity or airport on a periodic basis. These taxes and fees include federal transportation taxes, federal security charges, airport passenger facility charges, and foreign arrival and departure fees. These charges are collected from customers at the time they purchase their tickets but are not included in passenger revenue. The Company records a liability upon collection from the customer and discharges the liability when payments are remitted to the applicable governmental entity or airport.

 

s)Income taxes

 

Current income tax

 

Current income tax assets and liabilities for the current period are measured at the amount expected to be recovered from or paid to the tax authorities. The tax rates and tax laws used to compute the amount are those that are enacted or substantively enacted, at the reporting date.

 

Current income tax relating to items recognized directly in equity is recognized in equity. Management periodically evaluates positions taken in the tax returns with respect to situations in which applicable tax regulations are subject to interpretation and establishes provisions where appropriate.

18 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

Deferred tax

 

Deferred tax is recognized in respect of temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes at the reporting date.

 

Deferred tax liabilities are recognized for all taxable temporary differences, except, in respect of taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries when the timing of the reversal of the temporary differences can be controlled and it is probable that the temporary differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

 

Deferred tax assets are recognized for all deductible temporary differences, the carry-forward of unused tax credits and any available tax losses. Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the deductible temporary differences, and the carry-forward of unused tax credits and available tax losses can be utilized, except, in respect of deductible temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries deferred tax assets are recognized only to the extent that it is probable that the temporary differences will reverse in the foreseeable future and taxable profits will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilized.

 

The Company considers the following criteria in assessing the probability that taxable profit will be available against which the unused tax losses or unused tax credits can be utilized: (a) whether the entity has sufficient taxable temporary differences relating to the same taxation authority and the same taxable entity, which will result in taxable amounts against which the unused tax losses or unused tax credits can be utilized before they expire; (b) whether it is probable that the Company will have taxable profits before the unused tax losses or unused tax credits expire; (c) whether the unused tax losses result from identifiable causes which are unlikely to recur; and (d) whether tax planning opportunities are available to the Company that will create taxable profit in the period in which the unused tax losses or unused tax credits can be utilized.

 

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow all or part of the deferred tax asset to be utilized. Unrecognized deferred tax assets are reassessed at each reporting date and are recognized to the extent that it has become probable that future taxable profits will allow the deferred tax asset to be recovered.

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the year when the asset is realized or the liability is settled, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date.

 

Deferred tax relating to items recognized outside profit or loss is recognized outside profit or loss. Deferred tax items are recognized in correlation to the underlying transaction in OCI.

 

Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are offset if a legally enforceable right exists to set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities and the deferred taxes relate to the same taxable entity and the same taxation authority.

 

Income taxes are computed based on tax laws approved in Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala and El Salvador at the date of the consolidated statement of financial position. 

 

The IFRIC Interpretation 23 Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatment addresses the accounting for income taxes when tax treatments involve uncertainty that affects the application of IAS 12 Income Taxes. It does not apply to taxes or levies outside the scope of IAS 12, nor does it specifically include requirements relating to interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax treatments. The Interpretation specifically addresses the following:

 

·Whether an entity considers uncertain tax treatments separately.
·The assumptions an entity makes about the examination of tax treatments by taxation authorities.
·How an entity determines taxable profit (tax loss), tax bases, unused tax losses, unused tax credits and tax rates.

19 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

·How an entity considers changes in facts and circumstances.

 

The Company determines whether to consider each uncertain tax treatment separately or together with one or more other uncertain tax treatments and uses the approach that better predicts the resolution of the uncertainty.

 

The Company applies significant judgement in identifying uncertainties over income tax treatments. Since the Company operates in a complex multinational environment, it continually assess whether the interpretation has an impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

Upon adoption of the Interpretation, the Company has considered whether it has any uncertain tax positions, particularly those relating to transfer pricing. The Company’s and the subsidiaries’ tax filings in different jurisdictions include deductions related to transfer pricing and the taxation authorities may challenge those tax treatments. The Company determined, based on its tax compliance and transfer pricing studies, that it is probable that its tax treatments (including those for the subsidiaries) will be accepted by the taxation authorities. As of December 31, 2023, and 2022 the Interpretation did not have an impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.

 

t)Derivative and non-derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting

 

The Company mitigates certain financial risks, such as volatility in the price of jet fuel, adverse changes in interest rates and exchange rate fluctuations, through a risk management program that includes the use of derivative financial instruments and non-derivative financial instrument.

 

In accordance with IFRS 9, derivative financial instruments and non-derivative financial instruments are recognized in the consolidated statement of financial position at fair value. At inception of a hedge relationship, the Company formally designates and documents the hedge relationship to which it wishes to apply hedge accounting, as well as the risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge. The documentation includes the hedging strategy and objective, identification of the hedging instrument, the hedged item or transaction, the nature of the risks being hedged and how the entity will assess the effectiveness of changes in the hedging instrument’s fair value in offsetting the exposure to changes in the hedged item’s fair value or cash flows attributable to the hedged risk(s).

 

Only if such hedges are expected to be effective in achieving offsetting changes in fair value or cash flows of the hedge item(s) and are assessed on an ongoing basis to determine that they have been effective throughout the financial reporting periods for which they were designated, hedge accounting treatment can be used.

 

Under the cash flow hedge (CFH) accounting model, the effective portion of the hedging instrument’s changes in fair value is recognized in OCI, while the ineffective portion is recognized in current year earnings in the statement of profit or loss. The cash flow hedge reserve is adjusted to the lower of the cumulative gain or loss on the hedging instrument and the cumulative change in fair value of the hedged item. The amounts recognized in OCI are transferred to earnings in the period in which the hedged transaction affects earnings. During the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company did not recognize an ineffective portion with respect to derivative financial instruments.

 

The realized gain or loss of derivative financial instruments and non-derivative financial instruments that qualify as CFH are recorded in the same caption of the hedged item in the consolidated statement of operations.

 

Accounting for the time value of options

 

The Company accounts for the time value of options in accordance with IFRS 9, which requires all derivative financial instruments to be initially recognized at fair value. Subsequent measurement for options purchased and designated as CFH requires that the option’s changes in fair value be segregated into its intrinsic value (which will be considered the hedging instrument’s effective portion in OCI) and its correspondent changes in extrinsic value (time value and volatility). The extrinsic value changes will be considered as a cost of hedging (recognized in OCI in a separate component of equity) and accounted for in income when the hedged items also are recognized in income.

20 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

u)Financial instruments – Disclosures

 

IFRS 7 requires a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurement disclosures and requires entities to provide additional disclosures about the relative reliability of fair value measurements.

 

v)Treasury shares

 

The Company’s equity instruments that are reacquired (treasury shares), are recognized at cost and deducted from equity. No gain or loss is recognized in profit or loss on the purchase, sale, issuance or cancellation of treasury shares. Any difference between the carrying amount and the consideration received, if reissued, is recognized in additional paid in capital. Share-based payment options exercised during the reporting period were settled with treasury shares.

 

w)Operating segments

 

Management of Controladora monitors the Company as a single business unit that provides air transportation and related services, accordingly it has only one operating segment.

 

The Company has two geographic areas identified as domestic (Mexico) and international (United States of America, Central America and South America).

 

x)Current versus non-current classification

 

The Company presents assets and liabilities in the consolidated statement of financial position based on current/non-current classification. An asset is current when it is: (i) expected to be realized or intended to be sold or consumed in normal operating cycle, (ii) expected to be realized within twelve months after the reporting period, or, (iii) cash or cash equivalent unless restricted from being exchanged or used to settle a liability for at least twelve months after the reporting period. All other assets are classified as non-current.

 

A liability is current when: (i) it is expected to be settled in normal operating cycle, (ii) it is due to be settled within twelve months after the reporting period, or, (iii) there is no unconditional right to defer the settlement of the liability for at least twelve months after the reporting period. The Company classifies all other liabilities as non-current. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are classified as non-current assets and liabilities.

 

 

21 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

Notes - List of notes

 

 

CONTROLADORA VUELA COMPAÑÍA DE AVIACIÓN,

S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(d.b.a. VOLARIS)

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

As of December 31, 2023, and 2022

 

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except when indicated otherwise)

 

 

Description of the business and summary of material accounting policy information

 

Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, S.A.B. de C.V. (“Controladora” or the “Company”), was incorporated in Mexico in accordance with Mexican laws on October 27, 2005.

 

Controladora is domiciled in Mexico City at Av. Antonio Dovali Jaime No. 70, 13th Floor, Tower B, Colonia Zedec Santa Fe, Mexico City, 01210.

 

The Company, through its subsidiary Concesionaria Vuela Compañía de Aviación, S.A.P.I. de C.V. (“Concesionaria”), has a concession to provide air transportation services for passengers, cargo and mail throughout Mexico and abroad.

 

Concesionaria’s concession was granted by the Mexican federal government through the Mexican infrastructure, Communications and Transportation Ministry (Secretaría de Infrestructura Comunicaciones y Transportes) on May 9, 2005, initially for a period of five years and was extended on February 17, 2010, for an additional period of ten years. On February 24, 2020, Concesionaria’s concession was extended for a 20-year term starting on May 9, 2020.

 

Concesionaria made its first commercial flight as a low-cost airline on March 13, 2006. Concesionaria operates under the trade name of “Volaris”. On June 11, 2013, Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, S.A.P.I. de C.V. changed its corporate name to Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, S.A.B. de C.V..

 

On September 23, 2013, the Company completed its dual listing Initial Public Offering on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and on the Mexican Stock Exchange (Bolsa Mexicana de Valores, or “BMV”), and on September 18, 2013, its shares started trading under the ticker symbol “VLRS” and “VOLAR”, respectively.

 

On November 16, 2015, certain shareholders of the Company completed a secondary follow-on equity offering on the NYSE.

 

On December 11, 2020, the Company announced the closing of an upsized primary follow-on equity offering in which the Company offered 134,000,000 of its Ordinary Participation Certificates (Certificados de Participación Ordinarios), or CPOs, in the form of American Depositary Shares, or ADSs, at a price to the public of US$11.25 per ADS in the United States and other countries outside of Mexico, pursuant to the Company’s shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). In connection with the offering, the underwriters exercised their option to purchase up to 20,100,000 additional CPOs in the form of ADSs. Each ADS represents 10 CPOs and each CPO represents a financial interest in one Series A share of common stock of the Company.

 

On November 10, 2016, the Company, through its subsidiary Vuela Aviación, S.A. (“Volaris Costa Rica”), obtained from the Costa Rica Civil Aviation Authority an Air Operator Certificate to provide air transportation services for passengers, cargo and mail, in scheduled and non-scheduled flights for an initial period of five years. On December 20, 2021, Volaris Costa Rica´s Air Operator Certificate was renewed, modified and extended for an additional 15- years term. Volaris Costa Rica started operations on December 1st, 2016.

22 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

On August 25, 2021, the Company through its subsidiary Vuela El Salvador, S.A. de C.V. (“Volaris El Salvador”) obtained from the El Salvadorian Civil Aviation Authority an Operation Permit, for scheduled and non-scheduled international public air transportation services for passengers, cargo and mail valid until May 30, 2024. Volaris El Salvador started operations on September 15, 2021.

 

On June 20, 2019, Concesionaria, issued fifteen million (15,000,000) asset backed trust notes (Certificados Bursátiles Fiduciarios; the “Trust Notes”), under the ticker symbol VOLARCB 19 for the amount of Ps.1.5 billion Mexican pesos (US$78.5 million, based on an exchange rate of Ps.19.10 to US$1 on June 20, 2019) by CIBanco, S.A., Institución de Banca Multiple, acting as Trustee under the Irrevocable Trust number CIB/3249 created by Concesionaria in the first issuance under a program approved by the Mexican National Banking and Securities Commission (Comisión Nacional Bancaria y de Valores) for an amount of up to Ps.3.0 billion Mexican pesos (US$157.1 million, based on an exchange rate of Ps.19.10 to US$1 on June 20, 2019). The Trust Notes are backed by future receivables under agreements entered into with credit card processors with respect to funds received from the sale of airplane tickets and ancillaries denominated in Mexican pesos, through credit cards VISA and Mastercard, via the Company’s website, mobile app and travel agencies. The Trust Notes were listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange, have a maturity of five years and will pay an interest rate of Tasa de Interes Interbancaria de Equilibrio (“TIIE”) 28 plus 175 basis points. 

 

On October 13, 2021, “Concesionaria”, completed the issuance of fifteen million (15,000,000) of asset backed trust notes (Certificados Bursátiles Fiduciarios) (the “Trust Notes”) issued under the ticker VOLARCB 21L for an amount of Ps.1.5 billion Mexican pesos (US$72.1 million, based on an exchange rate of Ps.20.80 to US$1 on October 13, 2021), issued by CIBanco, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, acting as Trustee of the Irrevocable Trust number CIB/3249 created by Concesionaria, in the second offering under the program authorized by the Mexican National Banking and Securities Commission for an amount of up to Ps.3.0 billion (three billion pesos 00/100 national currency) (US$144.2 million, based on an exchange rate of Ps.20.80 to US$1 on October 13, 2021). The Trust Notes comply with the Sustainability-Linked Bond Principles 2020, administered by the International Capital Market Association (ICMA) and has Sustainability Objectives (SPT) for the Key Performance Indicator (KPI), to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from Volaris’ operations, measured as grams of CO2 emissions per revenue passenger/kilometer (gCO2 / RPK) by 21.54%, 24.08% and 25.53% by 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively, compared to 2015. This offering will help the Company to accomplish its long-term sustainable goals, among which are to reduce CO2 emissions by 35.42% gCO2/RPK by 2030 vs 2015. The Trust Notes have a maturity of five years and will pay an interest rate of TIIE 28 plus 200 basis points and an adjustment of twenty-five (25) basis points starting on September 20th, 2023.

 

On December 20, 2021, one of the Company´s shareholders concluded the conversion of 30,538,000 Series B Shares for the equivalent number of Series A Shares. This conversion has no impact either on the total number of outstanding shares nor on the earnings-per-share calculation.

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements and notes were approved for issuance by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Enrique J. Beltranena Mejicano, and the Chief Financial Officer, Jaime E. Pous Fernández, on February 26, 2024, and subsequent events were considered through that date. 

 

Relevant events

 

Conversion from Series “B” shares to Series “A” shares

 

On November 22, 2023, the holders of all of the 57,513,873 outstanding Series B shares of the Company concluded the conversion of all Series B Shares into 57,513,873 Series A Shares represented by Ordinary Participation Certificates (Certificados de Participación Ordinarios) in the form of the corresponding American Depositary Shares.

 

23 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

Basis of preparation

 

Statement of compliance

 

The unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements, which include the condensed consolidated statements of financial position as of December 31, 2023 (unaudited) and December 31, 2022 (audited) and the condensed consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, for the three and twelve months period ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 (unaudited), changes in equity and cash flows for the twelve months period ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 (unaudited), have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard (“IAS”) 34 Interim Financial Reporting and using the same accounting policies as in preparing the annual financial statements, with the exceptions explained below.

 

The unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements do not include all the information and disclosures required in the annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2022, and 2021 (audited).

 

Items included in the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements of each of the Company’s entities are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which each entity operates (“functional currency”). The functional currency of Company and its subsidiary Concesionaria is the US dollar. The presentation currency of the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements is the US dollar. All values in the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements are rounded to the nearest thousand (US$000), except when otherwise indicated.

 

The Company has consistently applied its accounting policies to all periods presented in these financial statements and has provided comparative information for of the previous period.

 

Basis of measurement and presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared under the historical-cost convention, except for derivative financial instruments that are measured at fair value.

 

The preparation of the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements in accordance with IFRS requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements and notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

a)Basis of consolidation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements comprise the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries. On December 31, 2023 (unaudited) and December 31, 2022 (audited), for accounting purposes the companies included in the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements are as follows:

 

 

24 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

Name

Principal

Activities

Country % Equity interest
December 31, 2023

December 31

2022

Concesionaria Vuela Compañía de Aviación S.A. P. I. de C.V. Air transportation services for passengers, cargo and mail throughout Mexico and abroad Mexico 100% 100%
Vuela Aviación, S.A. Air transportation services for passengers, cargo and mail in Costa Rica and abroad Costa Rica 100% 100%
Vuela, S.A. (“Vuela”) (7) Air transportation services for passengers, cargo and mail in Guatemala and abroad Guatemala 100% 100%
Vuela El Salvador, S.A. de C.V. Air transportation services for passengers, cargo and mail in El Salvador and abroad El Salvador 100% 100%
Comercializadora Volaris, S.A. de C.V. (“Comercializadora”) Merchandising of services Mexico 100% 100%
Servicios Earhart, S.A. (7) Rendering specialized services to its affiliates Guatemala 100% 100%
Servicios Corporativos Volaris, S.A. de C.V.
 (“Servicios Corporativos”)
Rendering specialized services to its affiliates Mexico 100% 100%
Comercializadora V Frecuenta, S.A. de C.V.
 (“Loyalty Program”) (7)
Loyalty Program Mexico 100% 100%
Viajes Vuela, S.A. de C.V. (“Viajes Vuela”) Travel agency Mexico 100% 100%
Guatemala Dispatch Service, S.A., (“GDS, S.A.”) Aeronautical Technical Services Guatemala 100% 100%
CIBanco, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, Fideicomiso 1710 (1) Pre-delivery payments financing Mexico - 100%
CIBanco, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, Fideicomiso 1711 (2) Pre-delivery payments financing Mexico - 100%
Fideicomiso Irrevocable de Administración número F/307750 “Administrative Trust” (8) Share administration trust Mexico - 100%
Fideicomiso Irrevocable de Administración número F/745291 “Administrative Trust” Share administration trust Mexico 100% 100%
Fideicomiso de Administración número CIB/3081 “Administrative Trust” Share administration trust Mexico

 

100%

 

100%

Fideicomiso Irrevocable de Administración número CIB/3249 “Administrative Trust” Asset backed securities trustor and administrator Mexico 100% 100%
CIBanco, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, Fideicomiso CIB/3853 (3) Pre-delivery payments financing Mexico 100% 100%
CIBanco, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, Fideicomiso CIB/3855 (4) Pre-delivery payments financing Mexico 100% 100%
CIBanco, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, Fideicomiso CIB/3866 (4) Pre-delivery payments financing Mexico 100% 100%
CIBanco, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, Fideicomiso CIB/3867 (5) Pre-delivery payments financing Mexico 100% 100%
CIBanco, S. A, Institución de Banca Múltiple, Fideicomiso CIB/3921 (6) Pre-delivery payments financing Mexico 100% 100%

 

(1)With effect from January 20, 2023, the Trust 1710 was extinguished.
(2)With effect from January 20, 2023, the Trust 1711 was extinguished.
(3)With effect from June 8, 2022, the trust was constituted.
(4)With effect from April 1st, 2022, the trusts were constituted.
(5)With effect from April 13, 2022, the trust was constituted.
(6)With effect from July 21, 2022, the trust was constituted.
(7)The Companies have not started operations.
(8)The Trust was terminated on August 9, 2022.

 

The financial statements of the subsidiaries are prepared for the same reporting period as the parent Company, using consistent accounting policies.

 

Control is achieved when the Company is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the investee. Specifically, the Company controls an investee if, and only if, the Company has:

 

(i)Power over the investee (i.e., existing rights that give it the current ability to direct the relevant activities of the investee).
(ii)Exposure, or rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee.
(iii)The ability to use its power over the investee to affect its returns. 

 

When the Company has less than a majority of the voting or similar rights of an investee, the Company considers all relevant facts and circumstances in assessing whether it has power over an investee, including:

 

(i)       The contractual arrangement with the other vote holders of the investee.

(ii)       Rights arising from other contractual arrangements, and

(iii)       The Company’s voting rights and potential voting rights.

 

25 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

The Company re-assesses whether or not it controls an investee if facts and circumstances indicate that there are changes to one or more of the three elements of control. Consolidation of a subsidiary begins when the Company obtains control over the subsidiary and ceases when the Company loses control of the subsidiary. Assets, liabilities, income and expenses of a subsidiary acquired or disposed of during the year are included in the condensed consolidated financial statements from the date the Company gains control until the date the Company ceases to control the subsidiary.

 

All intercompany balances, transactions, unrealized gains and losses resulting from intercompany transactions are eliminated in full on consolidation in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

On consolidation, the assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into US dollar at the exchange rates prevailing at the reporting date and their statements of profit or loss are translated at the average exchange rates prevailing at the time. The exchange differences arising on translation for consolidation are recognized in other comprehensive income (“OCI”). On disposal of a foreign operation, the component of OCI relating to that particular foreign operation is recognized in profit or loss.

 

Impact of new International Financial Reporting Standards

 

New and amended standards and interpretations already effective

 

The accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the interim condensed consolidated financial statements are consistent with those followed in the preparation of the Company´s annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022, except for the adoption of new standards effective as of 1 January 2023.

 

The Company has not early adopted any standard, interpretation or amendment that has been issued but is not yet effective. Several amendments apply for the first time in 2023, but do not have an impact on the interim condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company.

 

The nature and the effect of these changes are disclosed below:

 

IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts

 

In May 2017, the IASB issued IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts, a comprehensive new accounting standard for insurance contracts covering recognition and measurement, presentation and disclosure. IFRS 17 replaces IFRS 4 Insurance Contracts that was issued in 2005. IFRS 17 applies to all types of insurance contracts (i.e., life, non-life, direct insurance and reinsurance), regardless of the type of entities that issue them, as well as to certain guarantees and financial instruments with discretionary participation features; a few scope exceptions will apply. The overall objective of IFRS 17 is to provide an accounting model for insurance contracts that is more useful and consistent for insurers. In contrast to the requirements in IFRS 4, which are largely based on grandfathering previous local accounting policies, IFRS 17 provides a comprehensive model for insurance contracts, covering all relevant accounting aspects. IFRS 17 is based on a general model, supplemented by:

 

  • A specific adaptation for contracts with direct participation features (the variable fee approach).
  • A simplified approach (the premium allocation approach) mainly for short-duration contracts.

 

IFRS 17 is effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023, with comparative figures required. Early application is permitted, provided the entity also applies IFRS 9 and IFRS 15 on or before the date it first applies IFRS 17.

 

As of January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023, this standard did not have an impact on the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company.

 

 

26 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

Amendments to IAS 1: Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current

 

In January 2020, the IASB issued amendments to paragraphs 69 to 76 of IAS 1 to specify the requirements for classifying liabilities as current or non-current. The amendments clarify:

 

  • What is meant by a right to defer settlement.
  • That a right to defer must exist at the end of the reporting period.
  • That classification is unaffected by the likelihood that an entity will exercise its deferral right.
  • That only if an embedded derivative in a convertible liability is itself an equity instrument would the terms of a liability not impact its classification.

 

The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1st, 2023, and must be applied retrospectively.

 

As of January 1, and December 31, 2023, these amendments did not have any impact on the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company.

 

Disclosure of Accounting Policies - Amendments to IAS 1 and IFRS Practice Statement 2

 

In February 2021, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 1 and IFRS Practice Statement 2 Making Materiality Judgements, in which it provides guidance and examples to help entities apply materiality judgements to accounting policy disclosures. The amendments aim to help entities provide accounting policy disclosures that are more useful by replacing the requirement for entities to disclose their ‘significant’ accounting policies with a requirement to disclose their ‘material’ accounting policies and adding guidance on how entities apply the concept of materiality in making decisions about accounting policy disclosures.

 

The amendments to IAS 1 are applicable for annual periods beginning on or after January 1st, 2023, with earlier application permitted. Since the amendments to the Practice Statement 2 provide non-mandatory guidance on the application of the definition of material to accounting policy information, an effective date for these amendments is not necessary.

 

The Company adopted the amendments to IAS 1, although the amendments to the standard did not result in any change in the accounting policies disclosed in the consolidated financial statements.

 

Definition of Accounting Estimates – Amendments to IAS 8

 

In February 2021, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 8, in which it introduces a definition of “accounting estimates”. The amendments clarify the distinction between changes in accounting estimates and changes in accounting policies and the correction of errors. Also, they clarify how entities use measurement techniques and inputs to develop accounting estimates.

 

The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1st, 2023, and apply to changes in accounting policies and changes in accounting estimates that occur on or after the start of that period. Earlier application is permitted as long as this fact is disclosed.

 

As of January 1, and December 31, 2023, these amendments did not have an impact on the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company.

 

Deferred Tax related to Assets and Liabilities arising from a Single Transaction – Amendments to IAS 12

 

The amendments to IAS 12 Income Taxes require companies to recognize deferred tax on transactions that, on initial recognition, give rise to equal amounts of taxable and deductible temporary differences. They will typically apply to transactions such as leases of lessees and decommissioning obligations and will require the recognition of additional deferred tax assets and liabilities. The amendment is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on January 1st, 2023, and should be applied to transactions that occur on or after the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented. In addition, entities should recognize deferred tax assets (to the extent that it is probable that they can be utilized) and deferred tax liabilities at the beginning of the earliest comparative period for all deductible and taxable temporary differences associated with:

27 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

• Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, and

• Decommissioning, restoration and similar liabilities, and the corresponding amounts recognized as part of the cost of the related assets.

 

The cumulative effect of recognizing these adjustments is recognized in retained earnings, or another component of equity, as appropriate.

 

IAS 12 did not previously address how to account for the tax effects of on-balance sheet leases and similar transactions and various approaches were considered acceptable.

 

At the date of adoption of IFRS 16, the Company applied the criterion of recognizing the deferred assets and liabilities associated with the lease liability and the right of use, which is consistent with this amendment to IAS 12, and therefore upon adoption this amendment did not generate effect in the Company.

 

Use of judgments, estimates and assumptions

 

The preparation of these unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with IAS 34 requires management to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Company’s unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

Seasonality of operations

 

The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of those for the entire year because the business is subject to seasonal fluctuations. The Company expect demand to be greater during the summer in the northern hemisphere, in December and around Easter, which can fall either in the first or second quarter, compared to the rest of the year. The Company and subsidiaries generally experience their lowest levels of passenger traffic in February, September, and October, given their proportion of fixed costs, seasonality can affect their profitability from quarter to quarter. This information is provided to allow for a better understanding of the results; however, management has concluded that this does not constitute “highly seasonal” as considered by IAS 34.

 

Financial instruments and risk management

 

Financial risk management

The Company’s activities are exposed to different financial risks stemmed from exogenous variables which are not under their control but whose effects might be potentially adverse such as: (i) market risk, (ii) credit risk, and (iii) liquidity risk.

The Company’s global risk management program is focused on uncertainty in the financial markets and tries to minimize the potential adverse effects on net earnings and working capital requirements. The Company uses derivative financial instruments to hedge part of such risks. The Company does not enter into derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. The sources of these financial risk exposures are included in both “on balance sheet” exposures, such as recognized financial assets and liabilities, as well as in “off-balance sheet” contractual agreements and on highly expected forecasted transactions.

These on and off-balance sheet exposures, depending on their profiles, do represent potential cash flow variability exposure, in terms of receiving less inflows or facing the need to meet outflows which are higher than expected, therefore increase the working capital requirements.

28 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

Since adverse movements erode the value of recognized financial assets and liabilities, as well some other off-balance sheet financial exposures, there is a need for value preservation, by transforming the profiles of these fair value exposures. The Company has a Finance and Risk Management department, which identifies and measures financial risk exposures, in order to design strategies to mitigate or transform the profile of certain risk exposures, which are taken up to the corporate governance level for approval. 

 

Market risk 

 

a)Jet fuel price risk

Since the contractual agreements with jet fuel suppliers include reference to jet fuel index, the Company is exposed to fuel price risk which might have an impact in the forecasted consumption volumes. The Company’s jet fuel risk management policy aims to provide the Company with protection against increases in jet fuel prices. In an effort to achieve the aforesaid, the risk management policy allows the use of derivative financial instruments available on over the counter (“OTC”) markets with approved counterparties and within approved limits. Aircraft jet fuel consumed in the three months period ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 represented 38% and 45% of the Company’s operating expenses, respectively. Additionally, aircraft jet fuel consumed in the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, and 2022 represented 38% and 46% of the Company’s operating expenses, respectively.

For the three months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company did not enter into derivative financial instruments to hedge jet fuel.

 

In accordance with IFRS 9 the Company separates the intrinsic value from the extrinsic value of an option contract; as such, the change in the intrinsic value can be designated as hedge accounting. Because extrinsic value (time and volatility values) of the derivative financial instruments is related to a “transaction related hedged item”, it is required to be segregated and accounted for as a cost of hedging in OCI and accrued as a separate component of stockholders’ equity until the related hedged item matures and therefore impacts profit and loss.

 

The underlying asset (Jet Fuel) is a consumption asset (energy commodity), which is not in the Company’s inventory. Instead, it is directly consumed by the Company’s fleet at different airport terminals. Therefore, although a non-financial asset is involved, its initial recognition does not generate a book adjustment in the Company’s inventories.

 

Rather, it is initially accounted for in the Company’s OCI and a reclassification adjustment is made from OCI to profit and loss and recognized in the same period or periods in which the hedged item is expected to be allocated to profit and loss.

 

b)Foreign currency risk

 

The US dollar is the functional currency of Controladora and its main subsidiary Concesionaria, this is due to a significant portion of its operating expenses are denominated in U.S. dollar; thus, the Company relies on sustained U.S. dollar cash flows coming from operations in Mexico, the United States of America, Central America and South America to comply its commitments in such currency.

 

Foreign currency risk arises from possible unfavorable movements in the exchange rate which could have a negative impact in the Company’s cash flows. To mitigate this risk, the Company may use foreign exchange derivative financial instruments and non-derivative financial instruments.

 

29 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

The summary of quantitative data about the Company’s exposure to currency risk As of December 31, 2023, is as set forth below:

 

    Mexican Pesos   Others*
Assets: (In thousands of U.S. dollars)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash US$ 100,488 US$ 13,287
Other accounts receivable, net   54,594   34,650
Guarantee deposits   29,951   514
Derivative Financial instruments   1,683   -
Total assets US$ 186,716 US$ 48,451
         
Liabilities:        
Financial debt US$ 186,251 US$ -
Lease liabilities   19,655   73
Suppliers   142,453   2,254
Other liabilities   57,283   2,958
Total liabilities US$ 405,642 US$ 5,285
Net foreign currency position US$ (218,926) US$ 43,166

 

*The foreign exchange exposure includes: Colones, Quetzales and Colombian Pesos.

 

At February 26, 2024, date of issuance of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, the exchange rate was Ps.17.1210 per U.S. dollar.

 

The summary of quantitative data about the Company’s exposure to currency risk as of December 31, 2022, is as set forth below:

 

 

    Mexican Pesos   Others*
Assets: (In thousands of U.S. dollars)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash US$ 39,962 US$ 6,129
Other accounts receivable, net   66,254   12,595
Guarantee deposits   23,981   252
Derivative Financial instruments   1,585   -
Total assets US$ 131,782 US$ 18,976
         
Liabilities:        
Financial debt US$ 133,837 US$ -
Lease liabilities   17,003   103
Suppliers   124,374   1,496
Other liabilities   81,378   1,277
Total liabilities US$ 356,592 US$ 2,876
Net foreign currency position US$ (224,810) US$ 16,100

 

*The foreign exchange exposure includes: Colones, Quetzales and Colombian Pesos. 

 

In determining the spot exchange rate to use on initial recognition of the related asset, expense or income (or part of it) on the derecognition of a non-monetary asset or non-monetary liability relating to advance consideration, the date of the transaction is the date on which the Company initially recognizes the non-monetary asset or non-monetary liability arising from the advance consideration. If there are multiple payments or receipts in advance, the Company determines the transaction date for each payment or receipt of advance consideration.

 

As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company did not enter into foreign exchange rate derivatives financial instruments. 

 

 

30 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

c)Interest rate risk

 

Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates. The Company’s exposure to the risk of changes in market interest rates relates primarily to the Company’s long-term debt obligations and flight equipment lease agreements with floating interest rates.

 

The Company’s results are affected by fluctuations in certain benchmark market interest rates due to the impact that such changes may have on interest bearing contractual agreements indexed to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”).

 

In November 2020 the ICE Benchmark Administration (“IBA”), the FCA-regulated and authorized administrator of LIBOR, announced that it had started to consult on its intention to cease the publication of certain rate USD LIBORs after June 2023. In early 2022 as announced by the FCA, the panel bank submissions for rate USD LIBOR will cease in mid-2023. As of December 31, 2022, and 2023, all our US dollar financing facilities at floating rate are referenced to SOFR. All credits signed during 2022 are referenced to SOFR.

 

The Company uses derivative financial instruments to reduce its exposure to fluctuations in market interest rates and accounts for these instruments as an accounting hedge. 

 

In most cases, when a derivative can be tailored within the terms and it perfectly matches cash flows of a leasing agreement, it may be designated as a CFH and the effective portion of fair value variations are recorded in equity until the date the cash flow of the hedged lease payment is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

In July 2019 the Irrevocable Trust number CIB/3249, whose trustor is the Company, entered into a cap to mitigate the risk due to interest rate increases on the CEBUR (VOLARCB19) coupon payments. The floating rate coupons reference to TIIE 28 are limited under the “cap” to 10% on the reference rate for the life of the CEBUR (VOLARCB19) and have the same amortization schedule.

 

The cap stared on July 19, 2019, and the maturity date is June 20, 2024, consisting of 59 “caplets” with the same specifications as the CEBUR (VOLARCB19) coupons for reference rate determination, coupon term, and fair value.

 

In addition, during November 2021 the Trust entered into a cap to mitigate the risk due to interest rate increases on the CEBUR (VOLARCB21L) coupon payments. The floating rate coupons reference to TIIE 28 are limited under the cap to 10% on the reference rate for the life of the CEBUR (VOLARCB21L) and have the same amortization schedule.

 

The cap stared on November 3, 2021, and the maturity date is October 20, 2026; consisting of 59 “caplets” with the same specifications as the CEBUR (VOLARCB21L) coupons for reference rate determination, coupon term, and fair value.

 

In October 2023 the Trust entered into a cap to mitigate the risk due to interest rate increases on the CEBUR (VOLARCB23) coupon payments. The floating rate coupons reference to TIIE 28 are limited under the cap to 13% on the reference rate for the life of the CEBUR (VOLARCB23) and have the same amortization schedule.

 

The cap stared on October 20, 2023, and the maturity date is September 20, 2028; consisting of 59 “caplets” with the same specifications as the CEBUR (VOLARCB23) coupons for reference rate determination, coupon term, and fair value.

31 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company’s outstanding hedging contracts in the form of interest rate caps with notional amount of US$187.4 million and US$116.2 million, respectively, had fair values of US$1,683 and US$1,585, respectively, and are presented as part of the financial assets in the condensed consolidated statement of financial position.

 

During the three months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, the amortization of the intrinsic value of the cap was US$227 and US$73, respectively, recycled to the statement of operations as part of the finance cost.

 

d)Liquidity risk

 

Liquidity risk represents the risk that the Company has insufficient funds to meet its obligations. Because of the cyclical nature of the business, the operations, and its investment and financing needs related to the acquisition of new aircraft and renewal of its fleet, the Company requires liquid funds to meet its obligations.

 

The Company manages its cash, cash equivalents and its financial assets, relating the term of investments with those of its obligations. Its policy is that the average term of its investments may not exceed the average term of its obligations. This cash and cash equivalents position is invested in highly liquid short-term instruments through financial entities.

 

The Company has future obligations related to maturities of bank borrowings, lease liabilities and derivative contracts. The Company’s exposure outside consolidated statements of financial position represents the future obligations related to aircraft purchase contracts. The Company concluded that it has a low concentration of risk since it has access to alternate sources of funding.

 

The table below presents the Company’s contractual principal payments required on its financial liabilities and the derivative financial instruments fair value:

 

 

  December 31, 2023
  Within one
year
One to five
years
Total
Interest-bearing borrowings:            
Pre-delivery payments facilities US$ 157,318 US$ 151,322 US$ 308,640
Asset backed trust note (“CEBUR”)   44,396   143,054   187,450
Other financial agreements   12,157   140,906   153,063
             
Lease liabilities:            
Aircraft, engines, land and buildings leases   372,697   2,532,891   2,905,588
Aircraft and engine lease return obligation   803   286,405   287,208
Total US$ 587,371 US$ 3,254,578 US$ 3,841,949

 

 

  December 31, 2022
  Within one
year
One to five
years
Total
Interest-bearing borrowings:            
Pre-delivery payments facilities US$ 62,209 US$ 75,698 US$ 137,907
Asset backed trust note (“CEBUR”)   30,128   86,082   116,210
Working Capital Facilities   18,077   -   18,077
             
Lease liabilities:            
Aircraft, engines, land and buildings leases   335,620   2,373,103   2,708,723
Aircraft and engine lease return obligation   5,012   244,454   249,466
Total US$ 451,046 US$ 2,779,337 US$ 3,230,383

 

e)Credit risk

 

Credit risk is the risk that any counterparty will not meet its obligations under a financial instrument or customer contract, leading to a financial loss. The Company is exposed to credit risk from its operating activities (primarily for trade receivables) and from its financing activities, including deposits with banks and financial institutions, foreign exchange transactions and other financial instruments including derivatives.

32 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

Financial instruments that expose the Company to credit risk involve mainly cash equivalents and accounts receivable. Credit risk on cash equivalents relate to amounts invested with major financial institutions.

 

Credit risk on accounts receivable relates primarily to amounts receivable from the international credit card companies. The Company has a high receivable turnover; hence management believes credit risk is minimal due to the nature of its businesses, which have a large portion of their sales settled in credit cards.

 

The credit risk on liquid funds and derivative financial instruments is limited because the counterparties have an high credit rating assigned by international credit-rating agencies.

 

Some of the outstanding derivative financial instruments expose the Company to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to the agreements. However, the Company does not expect any of its counterparties to fail to meet their obligations. The amount of such credit exposure is generally the unrealized gain, if any, in such contracts.

 

To manage credit risk, the Company selects counterparties based on credit assessments, limits overall exposure to any single counterparty and monitors the market position with each counterparty. The Company does not purchase or hold derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

 

As of December 31, 2023, the Company determined that its credit risk associated with outstanding derivative financial instruments is low, as it exclusively engages in such instruments with counterparties that have high credit ratings assigned by international credit-rating agencies.

 

f)Capital management

 

Management believes that the resources available to the Company are enough for its present requirements and will be sufficient to meet its anticipated requirements for capital expenditures and other cash requirements for the 2023 fiscal year. The primary objective of the Company’s capital management is to ensure that it maintains healthy capital ratios to support its business and maximize the shareholder’s value. No changes were made in the objectives, policies, or processes for managing capital during the period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022. The Company is not subject to any externally imposed capital requirement, other than the legal reserve.

 

As part of the management strategies related to acquisition of its aircrafts (pre-delivery payments), the Company pays the associated short-term obligations by entering into sale-leaseback agreements, whereby an aircraft is sold to a lessor upon delivery.

 

Fair value measurements

 

The only financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value after initial recognition are the derivative financial instruments. Fair value is the price that would be received from sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value measurement is based on the presumption that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability takes place either:

 

(i)In the principal market for the asset or liability, or
(ii)In the absence of a principal market, in the most advantageous market for the asset or liability.

 

The principal or the most advantageous market must be accessible to the Company.

 

The fair value of an asset or a liability is assessed using the course of thought which market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, assuming that market participants act in their economic best interest.

33 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

The assessment of a non-financial asset’s fair value considers the market participant’s ability to generate economic benefits by using the asset in its highest and best use or by selling it to another market participant that would use the asset in its highest and best use.

 

The Company uses valuation techniques that are appropriate in the circumstances and for which sufficient data are available to measure fair value, maximizing the use of relevant observable inputs and minimizing the use of unobservable inputs.

 

All assets and liabilities for which fair value is measured or disclosed in the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements are categorized within the fair value hierarchy, described as follows, based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole:

 

·Level 1 – Quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
·Level 2 – Valuation techniques for which the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement is directly or indirectly observable.
·Level 3 – Valuation techniques for which the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement is unobservable.

 

For assets and liabilities that are recognized in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements on a recurring basis, the Company determines whether transfers have occurred between levels in the hierarchy by re-assessing categorization (based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole) at the end of each reporting period.

 

For the purpose of fair value disclosures, the Company has determined classes of assets and liabilities on the basis of the nature, characteristics and risks of the asset or liability and the level of the fair value hierarchy as explained above.

 

Set out below, is a comparison by class of the carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s financial instruments, other than those for which carrying amounts are reasonable approximations of fair values: 

 

    Carrying amount   Fair value
    December 31, 2023   December 31, 2022   December 31, 2023   December 31, 2022
                         
Assets                        
Derivative financial Instruments   US$ 1,683   US$ 1,585   US$ 1,683   US$ 1,585
                         

 

Liabilities

                       

Financial debt

(Interest-bearing loans and borrowings)

    (649,153)     (272,194)     (670,319)     (282,868)
Total   US$ (647,470)   US$ (270,609)   US$ (668,636)   US$ (281,283)

 

The following table summarizes the fair value measurements by hierarchy at December 31, 2023:

 

  Fair value measurement
   

Quoted prices

in active

markets

Level 1

 

Significant

observable

inputs

Level 2

 

Significant unobservable

inputs

Level 3

  Total
                         
Assets                        
Derivatives financial instruments:                        
Interest rate Caps   US$ -   US$ 1,683   US$ -   US$ 1,683
                         
Liabilities                        
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings*     -     (670,319)     -     (670,319)
Net   US$ -   US$ (668,636)   US$ -   US$ (668,636)

 

* SOFR curve and TIIE Mexican interbank rate. Includes short-term and long-term debt.

There were no transfers between level 1 and level 2 during the period.

34 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the fair value measurements by hierarchy at December 31, 2022:

 

  Fair value measurement
   

Quoted prices

in active

markets

Level 1

 

Significant

observable

inputs

Level 2

 

Significant unobservable

inputs

Level 3

  Total
                         
Assets                        
Derivatives financial instruments:                        
Interest rate Caps   US$ -   US$ 1,585   US$ -   US$ 1,585
                         
Liabilities                        
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings*     -     (282,868)     -     (282,868)
Net   US$ -   US$ (281,283)   US$ -   US$ (281,283)

 

* SOFR curve and TIIE Mexican interbank rate. Includes short-term and long-term debt. 

 

There were no transfers between level 1 and level 2 during the period.

 

The following table summarizes the loss from derivatives financial instruments recognized in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022: 

 

Unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations 

 

     

For the three months period ended

December 31

Instrument   Financial statements line 2023   2022
Interest rate cap   Finance cost US$ (227)   US$ (73)
Total     US$ (227)   US$ (73)

 

The following table summarizes the loss from derivatives financial instruments recognized in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the twelve months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022: 

 

Unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations 

 

     

For the twelve months period ended

December 31

Instrument   Financial statements line 2023   2022
Interest rate cap   Finance cost US$ (579)   US$ (161)
Total     US$ (579)   US$ (161)

 

35 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

The following table summarizes the net gain (loss) on CFH before taxes recognized in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of other comprehensive income for the three months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022:

 

Unaudited condensed consolidated statements of other comprehensive income

 

   

For the three months period ended

December 31

Instrument Financial statements line 2023 2022
Interest rate cap OCI US$ (1,446) US$ (59)
Total   US$ (1,446) US$ (59)

 

The following table summarizes the netgain on CFH before taxes recognized in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of other comprehensive income for the twelve months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022:

 

Unaudited condensed consolidated statements of other comprehensive income

 

   

For the twelve months period ended

December 31

Instrument Financial statements line 2023 2022
Interest rate cap OCI US$ (1,175) US$ 336
Total   US$ (1,175) US$ 336

 

 

Financial assets and liabilities

 

As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company’s financial assets measured at amortized cost are represented by cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, short-term investments, trade and other accounts receivable, for which their carrying amount is a reasonable approximation of fair value.

 

a)Financial assets

 

    December 31, 2023   December 31, 2022
Derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges (effective portion recognized within OCI)        
Interest rate cap US$ 1,683 US$ 1,585
Total derivative financial assets US$ 1,683 US$ 1,585
         

Presented on the consolidated statements of

financial position as follows:

       
Current US$ - US$ -
Non-current US$ 1,683 US$ 1,585

 

b)Financial debt

 

(i)As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company’s short-term and long-term debt consists of the following:

 

36 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

   

December 31,

2023

December 31,
2022
I.

In June 2019 the Company issued in the Mexican Market, an Asset backed trust notes (“CEBUR”), in Mexican pesos, with maturity date on June 20th, 2024, bearing annual interest rate of TIIE plus 175 basis points. 

US$ 14,799 US$ 38,737
           
II. In October 2021 the Company issued in the Mexican Market a second tranche of its Asset backed trust notes (“CEBUR”), in Mexican pesos, with maturity date on October 20th, 2026, bearing annual interest rate of TIIE plus 200 basis points, plus 25 basis points*.   83,859   77,473
           
III. In September 2023 the Company issued in the Mexican Market a third tranche of its Asset backed trust notes (“CEBUR”), in Mexican pesos, with maturity date on September 20th, 2028, bearing annual interest rate of TIIE plus 215 basis points.   88,792   -
           
IV. Revolving credit line with Banco Santander, S.A., (“Santander”) and Banco Nacional de Comercio Exterior, S.N.C. (“Bancomext”), in U.S. dollars, to finance pre-delivery payments, maturing on June 8, 2027, bearing annual interest rate of SOFR plus a spread of 298 basis points, plus 5 basis points*.   57,855   38,635
           
V. Pre-delivery payments financing with JSA International U.S. Holdings, LLC, with maturity date on November 30, 2025, bearing annual interest SOFR plus a spread of 300 basis points, along with a SOFR adjustment.   35,983   27,962
           
VI. Pre-delivery payments financing with GY Aviation Lease 1714 Co. Limited, with maturity date on November 30, 2025, bearing annual interest of SOFR plus a spread of 425 basis points, along with a SOFR adjustment.   64,495   15,880
           
VII. Pre-delivery payments financing with Incline II B Shannon 18 Limited, with maturity date on May 31, 2025, bearing annual interest of SOFR plus a spread of 390 basis points.   107,178   48,048
           
VIII. Pre-delivery payments financing with Oriental Leasing 6 Company Limited, with maturity date on May 31, 2026, bearing annual interest of SOFR plus a spread of 200 basis points, along with a SOFR adjustment.   43,129   7,382
           
IX. The company acquired a working capital facility with Banco Sabadell S.A, Institución de banca multiple (“Sabadell”) with national currency, bearing annual interest rate of TIIE plus 240 basis points.   -   10,330
           
X. The company acquired a working capital facility with Banco Actinver S.A, Institución de banca multiple (“Actinver”) in Mexican pesos, bearing annual interest rate at TIIE plus 250 basis points.   -   7,747
           
XI. Financing for the acquisition of engines with Tarquin Limited, with maturity in September 7, 19 and 25 of 2026, bearing an annual interest of 6.20%.   44,052   -
           
XII. Financing for the acquisition of engines with NBB-V11218 Lease Partnership, with maturity in September 29 of 2026, bearing an annual interest of 6.20%.   8,821   -
           
XIII. Financing for the acquisition of engines with NBB-V11951 Lease Partnership, with maturity in September 29 of 2026, bearing an annual interest of 6.20%.   8,143   -
           
XIV. Financing for the acquisition of several engines with Wilmington Trust SP Services (Dublin) Limited (not in its individual capacity but solely as Owner Trustee) for the acquisition of several engines, with maturity date in September and October 2026, bearing an annual interest of 7.16%.   71,507   -
           
XV. Financing for the acquisition of engines with NBB Pintail Co., LTD, with maturity date on November 28 of 2026, bearing an annual interest of 6.99%.   20,540    
           
XVI. Transaction costs to be amortized.   (3,158)   (1,034)
           
XVII. Accrued interest and other financial cost.   7,070   1,875
      653,065   273,035
  Less: Short-term maturities US$ 220,289 US$ 112,148
  Long-term financial debt US$ 432,776 US$ 160,887

 

TIIE: Mexican interbank rate

SOFR: Secured Overnight Financing Rate

*Sustainability bond adjustment

37 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

(ii) The following table provides a summary of the Company’s scheduled remaining principal payments of financial debt and accrued interest on December 31, 2023:

 

    Within one year  

January 2025-

December 2025

 

January 2026-

December 2026 

 

 

January 2027-onwards

 

 

Total

Santander/Bancomext   US$ 43,675   US$ 14,947    US$   US$   US$ 58,622
CEBUR program     45,180     29,597     35,763     77,693     188,233
JSA International U.S. Holdings, LLCA     15,130     20,852             35,982
GY Aviation Lease 1714 Co. Limited     30,654     38,588             69,242
Incline II B Shannon 18 Limited     73,373     33,806             107,179
Oriental Leasing 6 Company Limited     495     43,129             43,624
Tarquin Limited     2,326     2,384     2,536     36,892     44,138
Lease Partnership NBB-V11218     758     772     822     6,501     8,853
Lease Partnership NBB-V11951     695     712     758     6,003     8,168
Wilmington Trust SP Services (Dublin) Limited     7,898     8,373     9,001     46,358     71,630
NBB Pintail Co. LTD     757     799     857     18,139     20,552
Total   US$ 220,941   US$ 193,959    US$ 49,737   US$ 191,586   US$ 656,223

  

On June 8, 2022, the Company entered into new pre-delivery payments financing agreements with Santander/Bancomext at an annual interest rate of SOFR plus 298 basis points, for the acquisition of its aircraft through a revolving facility. For purposes of financing these pre-delivery payments, a Mexican trust was created whereby, the Company assigned its rights and obligations under the Airbus Purchase Agreement with Airbus S.A.S. (“Airbus”), including its obligation to make pre-delivery payments to the Mexican trust. The Company guaranteed the obligations of the Mexican trusts under the financing agreement (CIBanco, S.A. Institución de Banca Múltiple) Trust 3853. A feature of this financing is that it will incur in additional five (5) basis points if the sustainability goals are not met. On August 31, 2023, the interest rate increased by five (5) basis points, with the possibility of mitigating the additional rate if the objectives are met in the upcoming years.

 

The “Santander/Bancomext 2022” loan agreement provides for certain covenants, including limits to the ability to, among others:

 

i)Incur debt above a specified debt basket unless certain financial ratios are met.
ii)Create liens.
iii)Merge with or acquire any other entity without the previous authorization of the Banks.
iv)Dispose of certain assets.
v)Declare and pay dividends or make distributions on the Company’s share capital.

 

As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company was in compliance with the covenants under the mentioned loan agreement.

 

The Company signed in April 2022 three new pre-delivery payments financing with lessors for the acquisition of ircraft. For this purpose, a Mexican trust was created for each contract (CIBanco, S.A. Institución de Banca Múltiple), for JSA International U.S. Holdings, LLC Trust 3866, for GY Aviation Lease 1714 Co. Limited Trust 3855, and for Incline II B Shannon 18 Limited Trust 3867. These facilities do not include financial covenants or restrictions.

 

The company signed in July 022 a new pre-delivery payment financing with lessors for the acquisition of aircraft with Oriental Leasing 6 Company Limited. For this purpose, a Mexican trust was created with CIBanco, S.A. Institución de Banca Múltiple, Trust 3921. This facility does not include financial covenants or restrictions.

38 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

On June 20, 2019, the Company, through its subsidiary Concesionaria issued 15,000,000 asset backed trust notes (“CEBUR”) under the ticket VOLARCB 19 for Ps.1.5 billion Mexican pesos (US$88.8 million, based on an exchange rate of Ps16.89 to US$1 on December 31, 2023) through the Fideicomiso Irrevocable de Administración número CIB/3249 created by Concesionaria. The issuance amount is part of a program approved by the Mexican National Banking and Securities Commission (Comisión Nacional Bancaria y de Valores) for an amount of up to Ps.3.0 billion Mexican pesos (US$177.6 million, based on an exchange rate of Ps.16.89 to US$1 on December 31, 2023).

 

The notes have a five-year maturity annual reduction of Ps.250,000, Ps.500,000, Ps.500,000 and Ps.250,000 (US$14.8 million, US$29.4 million, US$29.4 million y US$14.8 million, based on an exchange rate of Ps.16.89 to US$1 on December 31, 2023) in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively, with a floating one-month coupon rate referenced to TIIE 28 plus 175 basis points spread. The notes started amortizing at the end of the second year.

 

On October 13, 2021, the Company, through its subsidiary Concesionaria issued in the Mexico market a second issuance of 15,000,000 asset backed trust notes (“CEBUR”) under the ticket VOLARCB21L for Ps.1.5 billion Mexican pesos (US$88.8 million, based on an exchange rate of Ps.16.89 to US$1 on December 31, 2023) through the Fideicomiso Irrevocable de Administración número CIB/3249 created by Concesionaria. The issuance amount is part of a program approved by the Mexican National Banking and Securities Commission (Comisión Nacional Bancaria y de Valores) for an amount of up to Ps.3.0 billion Mexican pesos (US$177.6 million, based on an exchange rate of Ps.16.89 to US$1 on December 31, 2023). With this second issuance the total amount approved for the program has been reached.

 

The Trust Notes comply with the Sustainability-Linked Bond Principles 2020, administered by the International Capital Market Association (ICMA). Which has Sustainability Objectives (SPT) for the KPI, to reduce carbon dioxide emissions measured as grams of CO2 emissions per revenue passenger/kilometer (gCO2 / RPK) by 21.54%, 24.08% and 25.53% by 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively, compared to 2015. This offering will help the Company to accomplish its long-term sustainable goals, among which are to reduce CO2 emissions 35.42% by 2030.

 

A feature of the asset backed trust notes is that they will pay an additional twenty-five (25) basis points to the interest rate if the sustainability goals are not met. On September 20, 2023, the interest rate increased by twenty-five (25) basis points, with the possibility of mitigating the additional rate if the 2023 or 2024 targets are met.

The notes have a five-year maturity annual reduction of Ps.83,333, Ps.500,000, Ps.500,000 and Ps.416,667 (US$4.9 million, US$29.6 million, US$29.6 million y US$24.7 million, based on an exchange rate of Ps.16.89 to US$1 on December 31, 2023) in 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026, respectively, with a floating one-month coupon rate referenced to TIIE 28 plus 200 basis points, and adjustment of twenty-five (25) basis points starting on September 20th, 2023. The notes started amortizing at the end of the second year.

On September 28, 2023, the Mexican National Banking and Securities Commission (Comisión Nacional Bancaria y de Valores) approved an increase amount of the actual program of up to Ps.5.0 billion Mexican pesos (US$296 million, based on an exchange rate of Ps.16.89 to US$1 on December 31, 2023). With this authorization, the Company, through its subsidiary Concesionaria issued in the Mexico market a third issuance of 15,000,000 asset backed trust notes (“CEBUR”) under the ticket VOLARCB23 for Ps.1.5 billion through the Fideicomiso Irrevocable de Administración número CIB/3249 created by Concesionaria.

The notes have a five-year maturity annual reduction of Ps.187,500, Ps.750,000 and Ps.562,500 (US$11.1 million, US$44.4million and US$33.3 million, based on an exchange rate of Ps.16.89 to US$1 on December 31, 2023) in 2026, 2027 and 2028, respectively, with a floating one-month coupon rate referenced to TIIE 28 plus 215 basis points spread. The notes will start amortizing at the end of the third year.

 

39 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

The asset backed trust note’s structure operate on specific rules and provide a DSCR “Debt Service Coverage Ratio” which is computed by comparing the Mexican Peso collections over the previous six months to the next six months of debt service. In general, not retention of funds exists if the ratio exceeds 2.5 times. Amortization on the asset backed trust notes begun in July of 2021 for the first issuance, the second issuance begun in November of 2023 and the third issuance will begin in October 2026. In addition, early amortization applies if:

 

i)The Debt Coverage Ratio is less than 1.75x on any of the determination dates;
ii)An event of retention is not covered in a period of 90 consecutive days;
iii)The debt service reserve account of any series maintains on deposit an amount less than the required balance of the debt service reserve account for a period that includes two or more consecutive payment methods;
iv)Insolvency event of Concesionaria;
v)The update of a new insolvency event in relation to the Concesionaria;
vi)Updating a new event of default.

 

In the event of default, the Trustee will refrain from delivering any amount that it would otherwise to require to deliver to Concesionaria and will dedicate use such cash flow to amortize the principal of the trust notes (“CEBUR”).

 

In December 2021, the Company renewed its working capital facility with Banco Sabadell S.A., Institución de Banca Multiple (“Sabadell”) in Mexican pesos. The facility had maturity dated on December 31, 2023, with an annual interest rate of TIIE 28 days plus a 240-basis points margin. As of December 2023, this credit line has expired.

 

The “Sabadell” working capital facility includes certain obligations.

 

In December 2022, the Company signed a working capital facility with Banco Actinver S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple (“Actinver”) in Mexican pesos, bearing annual interest rate at TIIE 28 days plus 250 basis points margins. As of December 31, 2023, the facility is not disbursed.

 

The “Actinver” working capital facility includes certain obligations.

 

Other financial agreements

 

1) In September 2023, the Company entered into financing agreements with Tarquin Limited for the acquisition of engines, bearing an annual interest of 6.20%.

 

2) In September 2023, the Company also entered into additional financing agreements with NBB-V11218 Lease Partnership and with NBB-V11951 Lease Partnership, for the acquisition of engines, bearing an annual interest of 6.20%.

 

3) In September and October 2023, the Company entered into financing agreements with Wilmington Trust SP Services (Dublin) Limited (not in its individual capacity but solely as Owner Trustee) for the acquisition of engines, bearing an annual interest of 7.16%.

 

4) In November 2023, the Company entered into financing agreements with NBB Pintail Co Ltd for the acquisition of engines, bearing an annual interest of 6.99%.

 

 

40 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

As of December 31, 2023, and 2022 this caption is comprised as follows:

 

 

December 31,

2023

December 31,

2022

         
Cash in banks US$ 117,764 US$ 77,224
Cash on hand   850   425
Short-term investments   642,604   627,331
Restricted funds held in trust related to debt service reserves   12,936   6,873
         
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash US$ 774,154 US$ 711,853

 

As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company recorded a portion of advance ticket sales by an amount of US$12,936 and US$6,873, respectively as a restricted fund. The restricted funds held in Trust are used to constitute the debt service reserves and cannot be used for purposes other than those established in the contract of the Trust.

 

Related parties

 

a)An analysis of balances due from/to related parties at As of December 31, 2023, and 2022 is provided below.

 

All companies are considered affiliates, since the Company’s primary shareholders or directors are also direct or indirect shareholders of the related parties:

 

 

  Type of transaction Country
of origin
December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 Terms
Due from:              
Frontier Airlines Inc. (“Frontier”) Code - share USA US$ - US$ 2,155 30 days
               
Due to:              
Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte, S.A.B. de C.V. (“OMA”) Airport Services Mexico US$ 12,881 US$ 13,579 30 days
MRO Commercial, S.A. (“MRO”) Aircraft maintenance and technical support El Salvador   8   1 30 days
Frontier Airlines Inc. (“Frontier”) Code-share USA   1,918   2 30 days
A&P International Services, S.A.P.I (“AISG”) Aircraft maintenance Mexico   313   191 30 days
Chevez, Ruiz, Zamarripa y Cía., S.C. Professional fees Mexico   620   815 30 days
Mijares, Angoitia, Cortés y Fuentes, S.C. Professional fees Mexico   105   22 30 days
      US$ 15,845 US$ 14,610  

 

41 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

b)During the three months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company had the following transactions with related parties:

 

Related party transactions Country of origin 2023 2022
Expenses:          
Transactions with affiliates          
Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte, S.A.B. de C.V. (“OMA”)          
Airport services Mexico US$ 3,136 US$ 3,251
MRO Commercial, S.A.          
Aircraft maintenance* El Salvador   2,649   2,033
Technical support El Salvador   6   -
A&P International Services, S.A.P.I (“AISG”)          
Aircraft and engine maintenance Mexico   809   467
Chevez, Ruiz, Zamarripa y Cía, S.C.          
Professional fees Mexico   443   523
Mijares, Angoitia, Cortés y Fuentes, S.C.          
Professional fees Mexico   (9)   34
Servprot, S.A. de C.V.          
Security services Mexico   -   56
Aeromantenimiento, S.A.          
Technical support El Salvador   -   81

 

*Includes amounts as part of major maintenance.

 

c)During the twelve months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company had the following transactions with related parties:

 

Related party transactions Country of origin 2023 2022
Revenues:          
Transactions with affiliates          
Frontier Airlines Inc          
Code-share USA US$ - US$ 5
Expenses:          
Transactions with affiliates          
MRO Commercial, S.A.          
Aircraft maintenance* El Salvador US$ 15,674 US$ 11,097
Technical support El Salvador   17   -
Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte, S.A.B. de C.V. (“OMA”)          
Airport services Mexico   12,263   9,792
A&P International Services, S.A.P.I (“AISG”)          
Aircraft and engine maintenance Mexico   2,895   914
Chevez, Ruiz, Zamarripa y Cía, S.C.          
Professional fees Mexico   1,175   923
Mijares, Angoitia, Cortés y Fuentes, S.C.          
7Professional fees Mexico   225   196
Servprot, S.A. de C.V.          
Security services Mexico   115   207
Aeromantenimiento, S.A.          
Aircraft maintenance El Salvador   -   3,690
Technical support El Salvador   -   170

 

*Includes amounts as part of major maintenance.

 

d)Frontier Airlines Inc. (“Frontier”)

 

Frontier is a related party because Brian H. Franke and Andrew Broderick are members of the board of the Company and members of the board of directors of Frontier as well as managing directors of Indigo Partners, the latest has investments in both Companies.

 

As of December 31, 2022, the accounts receivable from Frontier were US$2,155. Additionally, As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, the account payable was US$1,918 and US$2, respectively.

 

42 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

During the three months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company did not have revenue transactions. During the twelve months period ended December 31, 2023, the Company did not have revenue transactions. During the twelve months period ended December 31, 2022, the Company recognized revenue under this agreement of US$5.

 

e)Servprot S.A. de C.V. (“Servprot”)

 

Servprot was a related party until June 13, 2023, because Enrique Beltranena Mejicano, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and director was shareholder of such Company. Servprot provides security services for Mr. Beltranena and his family. As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, there are not outstanding balance due to Servprot under this agreement.

 

During the three months period ended December 31, 2023, the Company did not have expensed transactions. During the three months period ended December 31, 2022, the Company expensed US$56, for this concept. During the twelve months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022 the Company expensed US$115 and US$207, respectively.

 

f)Aeromantenimiento, S.A. (“Aeroman”)

 

Aeroman is a related party, because Marco Baldocchi a member of the board of the Company’s board of directors is an alternate director of Aeroman. On January 1st, 2017, the Company entered into an aircraft maintenance and repair services agreement with Aeromantenimiento, S.A., which was extended and amended to be entered into with MRO Commercial, S.A. ("MRO”), an affiliate of Aeroman on January 1st, 2022. This agreement provides for the exclusive use of Aeroman's services for the repair and maintenance of aircraft, subject to availability. Under this agreement, Aeroman provides inspection, maintenance, repair and overhaul services for aircraft. The Company makes payments under this agreement depending on the services performed. This agreement is for a 5-year term, extended for an additional 5-year period as of January 1st, 2022.

 

As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company did not have outstanding balance due to Aeroman.

 

During the three- and twelve-months period ended December 31, 2023, the Company did not have expenses transaction. During the three- and twelve-months period ended December 31, 2022, the Company incurred expenses in aircraft and technical support with Aeroman amounted to US$81 and US$3,860, respectively.

 

As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, the balances due under the agreement with MRO were US$8 and US$1, respectively.

 

During the three months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company incurred expenses in aircraft maintenance and technical support with MRO amounted to US$2,655 and US$2,033, respectively. During the twelve months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company incurred expenses in aircraft maintenance and technical support with MRO amounted to US$15,691 and US$11,097, respectively.

 

g)Mijares, Angoitia, Cortés y Fuentes, S.C. (“MACF”)

 

MACF is a related party because Ricardo Maldonado Yañez and Eugenio Macouzet de León, member and alternate member, respectively, of the board of the Company since April 2018, are partners of MACF provides legal services to us. As of December 31, 2023, and 2022 the balances due under the agreement with MACF was US$105 and US$22, respectively.

 

During the three months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company recognize expenses in legal services under this agreement amounted to US$(9) and US$34, respectively. During the twelve months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company recognize expenses in legal services under this agreement amounted to US$225 and US$196, respectively.

43 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

h)Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte (“OMA”)

 

On April 22, 2020, OMA became a related party because Mr. Ricardo Maldonado Yañez is an independent member of the board of directors, as well as chairman of our Corporate Practices Committee and member of the board of directors of OMA and Mrs. Guadalupe Phillips Margain, our independent member, was a member of the board of directors of OMA until November 2022. As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, the account payable with OMA was US$12,881 and US$13,579, respectively.

 

During the three months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company recognized expenses with OMA of US$3,136 and US$3,251, respectively. During the twelve months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company recognized expenses with OMA of US$12,263 and US$9,792, respectively.

 

i)Chevez, Ruiz, Zamarripa y Cía, S.C (“Chevez”)

 

Chevez is a related party because Mr. José Luis Fernández Fernández is an independent member of the board of directors, as well as the chairman of the Audit Committee of the Company and non-managing limited partner of Chevez. Chevez provides tax advisory services to us. As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, the account payable with Chevez was US$620 and US$815, respectively.

 

During the three months period and ended December 31, 2023, and 2022 the Company recognized expenses with Chevez of US$443 and US$523, respectively. During the twelve months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022 the Company recognized expenses with Chevez of US$1,175 and US$923, respectively.

 

j)A&P International Services, S.A.P.I. de C.V. (“AISG”)

 

From July 4, AISG has been considered a related party due to Harry F. Krensky, a member of our Board of Directors, is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of AISG. Additionally, Harry F. Krensky is managing partner of Discovery Americas, a private equity firm that indirectly holds/manages an investment position in AISG. As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, the account payable with AISG was US$313 and US$191, respectively.

During the three months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company recognize expenses in aircraft and engine maintenance amounted to US$809 and US$467, respectively.

 

During the twelve months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company recognize expenses in aircraft and engine maintenance amounted to US$2,895 and US$914, respectively.

 

k)Clean Joule, Inc. (“Clean Joule”)

 

Clean Joule is considered related party because Mr. Brian H. Franke, the chairman of our board of directors, is an officer of Franke Family Joule, LLC. Since May 23, 2023, he has been a shareholder of Clean Joule and has the right to appoint a member of its board of directors. Additionally, on May 23, 2023, Mr. Andrew Broderick, a member of our board of directors, was appointed by Franke Family Joule, LLC, as a member of the board of directors of Clean Joule. Clean Joule is a Company that produces high-performance and cost-effective Sustainable Aviation Fuel from agricultural waste and organic residues. On May 23, 2023, the Company directly purchased common stock of Clean Joule, recognizing 139,738 common stock shares amounting to US$1,747.

 

l)Directors and officers

 

During the three months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, the chairman and the independent members of the Company’s board of directors received a net compensation of US$118 and US$160, respectively, and the rest of the directors received a net compensation of US$69 and US$51, respectively. During the twelve months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, the chairman and the independent members of the Company’s board of directors received a net compensation of US$696 and US$561, respectively, and the rest of the directors received a net compensation of US$242 and US$177, respectively.

44 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the amount paid to the chairman and independent members includes an in-kind payment through the Company´s shares totaling USD$305. 

 

During the three months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, all the Company’s senior managers received an aggregate compensation of short and long-term benefits of US$9,232 and US$8,455, respectively, these amounts were recognized in salaries and benefits in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. During the twelve months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, all the Company’s senior managers received an aggregate compensation of short and long-term benefits of US$19,534 and US$17,630, respectively. These amounts were recognized as part of salaries and benefits in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

 

Inventories

 

An analysis of inventories As of December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, is as follows:

 

    December 31, 2023   December 31,2022
Spare parts and accessories of flight equipment   US$ 16,117   US$ 15,758
             

 

The inventory items are consumed during or used mainly in delivery of in-flight services and for maintenance services by the Company and are valued at the lower of cost or replacement value. The Company recognizes the necessary estimates for decreases in the value of its inventories due to impairment, obsolescence, slow movement and causes that indicate that the use or realization of the aircraft spare parts and flight equipment accessories that are part of the inventory will be less than recorded value. As of December 31, 2023, and December 31,2022, the Company did not record any impairment loss in the value of its inventories.

 

During the three months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, the amount of consumption of inventories, recorded as an operating expense as part of maintenance expense was US$5,319 and US$4,503, respectively. During the twelve months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, the amount of consumption of inventories, recorded as an operating expense as part of maintenance expense was US$20,928 and US$17,825, respectively.

 

Rotable spare parts, furniture and equipment, net

 

a) Acquisitions and disposals

 

For the twelve months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company acquired rotable spare parts, furniture, and equipment paid by an amount of US$480,753 and US$347,147, respectively.

 

Rotable spare parts, furniture and equipment by US$46,108 and US$223,243, were disposed for the twelve months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, respectively. These amounts included reimbursements of pre-delivery payments for aircraft acquisition of US$45,085 and US$221,253, respectively.

 

b) Depreciation expense

 

Depreciation expense for the three months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022 was US$35,521 and US$28,049, respectively. Depreciation expense for the twelve months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022 was US$127,402 and US$90,790, respectively. Depreciation charges for the period are recognized as a component of operating expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company did not record any impairment loss.

 

Intangible assets, net

 

a) Acquisitions

 

For the twelve months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company acquired intangible assets by an amount of US$10,387 and US$6,790, respectively.

45 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

 

b) Amortization expense

 

Software amortization expense for the three months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022 was US$1,681 and US$1,668, respectively. Software amortization expense for the twelve months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022 was US$6,894 and US$6,696, respectively. These amounts were recognized as part of the depreciation and amortization in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. 

 

Leases

 

As of December 31, 2023, the most significant leases are as follows:

 

Aircraft and engines represent the Company´s most significant lease agreements. On December 31, 2023, the Company leases 129 aircraft (116 as of December 31, 2022) and 20 spare engines (23 as of December 31, 2022) that have maximum terms through 2035. The leases are generally guaranteed by either deposit in cash or letters of credits.

 

Composition of the fleet and spare engines leases*:

 

 

Aircraft

Type

Model At December 31, 2023 At December 31, 2022
A319 132 3 3
A320 233 39 39
A320 232 1 1
A320neo 271N 51 48
A321 231 10 10
A321neo 271N 25 15
    129 116

 

Engine spare

Type

Model At December 31, 2023 At December 31, 2022
V2500 V2524-A5 0 2
V2500 V2527M-A5 3 3
V2500 V2527E-A5 5 6
V2500 V2527-A5 6 6
PW1100 PW1127G-JM 5 5
PW1100 PW1133G-JM 1 1
    20 23

 

 

*Certain of the Company’s aircraft and engine lease agreements include an option to extend the lease term period. Management evaluates extensions based on the market conditions at the time of renewal.

 

In the third quarter of 2023, Pratt and Whitney announced preventive accelerated inspections for the GTF engines. Consequently, since 2023, the Company's GTF engines are being reviewed to ensure compliance with these requirements.

 

As a result of these preventive accelerated inspections and in accordance with the business strategy, the Company has extended certain aircraft and engines lease agreements and has added new aircraft and engines to its fleet. All accounting effects of these aircraft and engines lease extensions and new incorporations have been assessed and presented into the Company's Financial Statements. Additionally, the compensation received from the manufacturer has been included in the Company's Consolidated Statement of Operations as of December 31, 2023.

46 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

During the three months period ended December 31, 2023, the Company added four new leased aircraft to its fleet (two A321NEO were acquired through sale and leaseback transactions under the Company’s existing Airbus purchase agreement and two A321neo were obtained directly from the lessor’s aircraft order book). All the aircraft incorporated through the lessor’s aircraft order book were not subject to sale and leaseback transactions. Additionally, the Company extended the lease term of three A320 CEO. These extensions will have an effective extension date in 2024 and 2025.

 

During the twelve months period ended December 31, 2023, the Company added 13 new leased aircraft to its fleet. This includes one A320NEO and two A321NEO acquired through a sale and leaseback transaction under the existing Airbus purchase agreement, as well as two A320NEO and eight A321NEO incorporated directly from the lessor´s aircraft order book.

 

The Company also extended the lease term of eight A320CEO aircraft (three aircraft lease extensions will have an effective extension date during 2023, three during 2024 and two during 2025) and one A321CEO aircraft, which will have an effective extension date in 2024.

 

During the three months period ended December 31, 2023, the Company extended the lease term of four spare engines. These extensions will have an effective date during 2023.

 

During the twelve months period ended December 31, 2023, the Company extended the lease term of six spare engines. These extensions will have an effective date during 2023.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company added 18 new leased aircraft to its fleet (six A320neo and seven A321neo, acquired through a sale and leaseback transaction under our existing Airbus purchase agreement, three A320neo and two A321neo obtained directly from the lessor´s aircraft order book). All the aircraft incorporated through the lessor´s aircraft order book were not subject to sale and leaseback transactions.

 

Also, the Company extended the term of two A321ceo (effective in April and May 2023), two A320ceo (effective in September 2022 and July 2023) and one A319ceo (effective in March 2022).

During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company also incorporated three CEO spare engines. Such leases were not subject to sale and leaseback transactions. Also, the Company extended the lease term of two spare engines (effective in February 2022).

 

Set out below are the carrying amounts of right-of-use assets recognized and the movements during the period:

 

  Aircraft leases Spare engine leases Land and building leases Total
As of December 31, 2022 US$ 2,110,753 US$ 24,181 US$ 45,997 US$ 2,180,931
Additions   428,877   13,811   4,364   447,052
Extensions   92,774   -   -   92,774
Modifications   1,850   (8,064)   -   (6,214)
Foreign exchange effect   7   -   3   10
Depreciation on right of use assets   (337,694)   (11,524)   (12,797)   (362,015)
As of December 31, 2023 US$ 2,296,567 US$ 18,404 US$ 37,567 US$ 2,352,528

 

 

 Set out below are the carrying amounts of lease liabilities and the movements during the period:

 

   December 31, 2023   December 31, 2022
As of January 1st, US$ 2,708,723   US$ 2,412,137
Additions   446,985     550,834
Extensions   92,774     29,842
Modifications   (6,214)     -
Disposals   (4,378)     -
Accretion of interest   194,416     165,043
Foreign exchange effect   2,356     (129)
Payments   (529,074)     (449,004)
Balances at the end of the reporting period US$ 2,905,588   US$ 2,708,723
Current US$ 372,697   US$ 335,620
Non-current US$ 2,532,891   US$ 2,373,103

 

47 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

The following are the amounts recognized in profit or loss for the three months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022:

 

  For the three months period ended
  December 31, 2023   December 31, 2022
Depreciation of right-of-use assets US$ 94,105   US$ 83,693
Interest expense on lease liabilities and aircraft and engine lease return obligation   33,306     50,058
Aircraft and engine variable lease expenses   (14,204)     34,447
Total amount recognized in profit or loss US$ 113,207   US$ 168,198

 

 

The Company had total cash outflows for leases during the three months period ended December 31, 2023, of US$138,689 (US$116,516 during the three months period ended December 31, 2022).

 

The following are the amounts recognized in profit or loss for the twelve months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022:

 

  For the twelve months period ended
  December 31, 2023   December 31, 2022
Depreciation of right-of-use assets US$ 362,015   US$ 320,443
Interest expense on lease liabilities and aircraft and engine lease return obligation   191,967     174,769
Aircraft and engine variable lease expenses   103,845     124,532
Total amount recognized in profit or loss US$ 657,827   US$ 619,744

 

The Company had total cash outflows for leases during the twelve months period ended December 31, 2023, of US$529,074 (US$449,004 during the twelve months period ended December 31, 2022).

 

i)Return obligations

 

As a result of aircraft and engine lease extension agreements recorded during the three months period ended December 31, 2023, the Company reassessed the return liabilities, resulting in a net benefit of US$14,204, which was presented as aircraft and engines variable lease expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. During the three months period ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded a net expense of US$34,447.

 

For the twelve months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company recorded redelivery expenses of US$103,845 and US$124,532, respectively.

 

ii)

Aircraft and engines lease extensions

 

Due to the aircraft and engines lease extension agreements, the Company also reassessed the right of use assets and lease liabilities, resulting in a net increase of US$92,774, which was recorded as of December 31, 2023.

 

As of December 31, 2022, the Company recorded a reassessment of the right of use assets and lease liabilities by an amount of US$30,653.

 

48 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

Equity 

 

As of December 31, 2023, the total number of the Company’s authorized shares was 1,165,976,677; represented by common registered shares, issued and with no par value, fully subscribed and paid, comprised as follows:

 

  Shares  
  Fixed
Class I
Variable
Class II
Total shares
Series A shares (1) 24,180 1,165,952,497 1,165,976,677
Series B shares (1) - - -
  24,180 1,165,952,497 1,165,976,677
Treasury shares - (14,525,694) (14,525,694) (1)
  24,180 1,151,426,803 1,151,450,983

 

(1) During the year ended December 31, 2023, a total of 330,453 forfeited shares have been included as part of treasury shares.

 

As of December 31, 2022, the total number of the Company’s authorized shares was 1,165,976,677; represented by common registered shares, issued and with no par value, fully subscribed and paid, comprised as follows:

 

  Shares  
  Fixed
Class I
Variable
Class II
Total shares
Series A shares (1) 10,478 1,108,452,326 1,108,462,804
Series B shares (1) 13,702 57,500,171 57,513,873
  24,180 1,165,952,497 1,165,976,677
Treasury shares - (13,452,393) (13,452,393) (1)
  24,180 1,152,500,104 1,152,524,284

 

(1)During the year ended December 31, 2022, a total of 103,712 forfeited shares have been included as part of treasury shares.

 

All shares representing the Company’s capital stock, either Series A shares or Series B shares, grant the holders the same economic rights and there are no preferences and/or restrictions attaching to any class of shares on the distribution of dividends and the repayment of capital. Holders of the Company’s Series A common stock and Series B common stock are entitled to dividends when, and if, declared by a shareholders’ resolution. The Company’s revolving line of credit with Santander and Bancomext limits the Company’s ability to declare and pay dividends if the Company fails to comply with the payment terms thereunder. Only Series A shares from the Company are listed.

 

As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, the Company did not declare any dividends.

 

a) Earnings (loss) per share

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share (“EPS or LPS”) amounts are calculated by dividing the net loss for the period attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period.

 

Diluted EPS or LPS amounts are calculated by dividing the loss attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent (after adjusting for interest on the convertible preference shares, if any), by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period plus the weighted average number of ordinary shares that would be issued on conversion of all the dilutive potential ordinary shares into ordinary shares (to the extent that their effect is dilutive).

 

49 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

The following table shows the calculations of the basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share for the three months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022:

 

 

  For the Three months period ended December 31,
    2023   2022
Net earnings (loss) for the period US$ 112,047 US$ (21,997)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding (in thousands):        
Basic   1,151,640   1,152,795
Diluted   1,165,847   1,165,049
EPS or LPS        
Basic US$ 0.097 US$ (0.019)
Diluted US$ 0.096 US$ (0.019)

 

 

The following table shows the calculations of the basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share for the twelve months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022:

 

  For the Twelve months period ended December 31,
    2023   2022
Net earnings (loss) for the period US$ 7,819 US$ (80,224)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding (in thousands):        
Basic   1,152,609   1,155,030
Diluted   1,165,451   1,165,083
EPS or LPS        
Basic US$ 0.007 US$ (0.069)
Diluted US$ 0.007 US$ (0.069)

 

Income tax

 

The Company calculates the period income tax (expense) benefit using the tax rate that would be applicable to the expected total annual earnings. The major components of income tax benefit in the unaudited condensed consolidated interim statement of operations are:

 

Unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations

 

 

For the three months period

ended December 31,

  2023 2022
Current year income tax benefit (expense) US$ 9,333 US$ (352)
Deferred income tax expense   (26,473)   (43,419)
Total income tax expense US$ (17,140) US$ (43,771)

 

The Company’s effective tax rate during the three months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022 was 13% and 201% respectively. 

 

Unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations

 

 

For the twelve months period

ended December 31,

  2023 2022
Current year income tax expense US$ (21,939) US$ (15,456)
Deferred income tax benefit   22,316   67,595
Total income tax benefit US$ 377 US$ 52,139

 

The Company’s effective tax rate during the twelve months period ended December 31, 2023, and 2022 was 5% and 39% respectively. 

50 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

As of December 31, 2023, the Company had tax proceedings regarding uncertain tax positions by an approximately amount of US$76 million. These tax proceedings are associated to the deductibility of certain Company expenses during 2013, 2014 and 2015. The Company has initiated legal administrative procedures and has arguments to believe that it will not have any adverse effect. Nonetheless, until all stages in the procedures are exhausted for each proceeding, the Company cannot guarantee the attainment of a final favorable resolution.

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

Aircraft related commitments and financing arrangements.

 

Committed expenditures for aircraft purchase and related flight equipment related to the Airbus purchase agreement, including estimated amounts for contractual prices escalations and pre-delivery payments, will be as follows:

 

 

 

Commitment expenditures in thousands of U.S. dollars

2024 280,818
2025 711,112
2026 1,408,871
2027 1,123,329
2028 and thereafter 3,065,774
  6,589,904

 

All aircraft acquired by the Company through the Airbus purchase agreement through December 31, 2023, have been executed through sale and leaseback transactions.

 

In addition, we have commitments to execute sale and leaseback over the next three years. The estimated proceeds from these commitments are as follows:

 

 

  Aircraft sale prices estimated
  in thousands of U.S. dollars
2024 626,500
2025 821,000
  1,447,500

 

For future aircraft deliveries the Company will review the lease and financing structure applicable based on the then current market conditions.

 

The future lease payments for these non-cancellable sale and leaseback contracts are as follows:

 

 

  Aircraft leases
  in thousands of U.S. dollars
2024 19,440
2025 84,730
2026 96,869
2027 96,869
2028 and thereafter 864,521
  1,162,429

 

51 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

Purchase of additional A320 New Engine Option (“NEO”) family aircraft

 

On December 28, 2017, the Company amended the agreement with Airbus, S.A.S. (“Airbus”) for the purchase of additional 80 A320neo family aircraft to be delivered from 2022 to 2026, which was further amended in July 2020 to reschedule the deliveries between 2023 and 2028. Additionally, in November 2021 the Company entered into a new amendment to the referred agreement to purchase 39 additional A320 New Engine Option (“neo”) Family Aircraft to be delivered between 2023 and 2029, in addition to the acquisition of these 39 aircraft, the Company exercised its rights under the purchase agreement with Airbus to convert 19 aircraft from A320neo to A321neo aircraft of its current order, all to support the Company’s targeted growth markets in Mexico, United States, Central America and South America.

 

On October 10th, 2022, the Company executed an amendment to our existing Airbus purchase agreement for the purchase of 25 A321neo aircraft, all to be delivered in 2030.

 

Litigation

 

The Company is a party to legal proceedings and claims that arise during the ordinary course of business. Certain proceedings are considered possible obligations. Based on the plaintiffs’ claims, as of December 31, 2023, and 2022 these possible contingencies amount to a total of US$29.4 million and US$7.8 million, respectively.

 

Operating segments

 

The Company is managed as a single business unit that provides air transportation services. The Company has two geographic segments identified below:

 

  Three months period ended December 31,
  2023 2022
Operating revenues:        
Domestic (Mexico) US$ 556,653 US$ 518,544
International:        
United States of America   268,018   230,260
Central America and South America   73,849   71,311
Total operating revenues US$ 898,520 US$ 820,115

 

  Twelve months period ended December 31,
  2023 2022
Operating revenues:        
Domestic (Mexico) US$ 2,070,569 US$ 1,909,744
International:        
United States of America   921,999   758,609
Central America and South America   266,405   178,837
Total operating revenues US$ 3,258,973 US$ 2,847,190

 

Revenues are allocated by geographic segments based upon the origin of each flight. The Company does not have material non-current assets located in foreign countries.

 

Subsequent events

 

As of February 26, 2024, no relevant subsequent events that could significantly impact the condensed consolidated interim financial statements were identified.

52 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

d

9

 

d

9

Volaris Reports Financial Results for the

Fourth Quarter 2023: Net Income of USD $112 million

 

 

Mexico City, Mexico, February 26, 2024 – Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: VLRS and BMV: VOLAR) (“Volaris” or “the Company”), the ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) serving Mexico, the United States, Central, and South America, today announces its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2023[1].

 

Fourth Quarter 2023 Highlights

(All figures are reported in U.S. dollars and compared to 4Q 2022 unless otherwise noted)

 

<Net income of $112 million. Earnings per share of $0.10 and earnings per ADS of $0.97 cents.
<Total operating revenues of $899 million, a 10% increase.
<Total revenue per available seat mile (TRASM) increased 11% to $9.56 cents.
<Available seat miles (ASMs) decreased 1.1% to 9.4 billion.
<Total operating expenses of $735 million, representing 82% of total operating revenue.
<Total operating expenses per available seat mile (CASM) decreased 2.3% to $7.81 cents.
<Average economic fuel cost decreased 16% to $3.13 per gallon.
<CASM ex fuel increased 11% to $4.86 cents.
<EBITDAR of $281 million, a 35% increase.
<EBITDAR margin was 31.3%, an increase of 6.0 percentage points.
<Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and short-term investments totaled $789 million, representing 24% of the last twelve months’ total operating revenue.
<Net debt-to-LTM EBITDAR[2] ratio decreased to 3.4x, compared to 3.9x in 2022.

 

Enrique Beltranena, President & Chief Executive Officer, said: “Throughout 2023, we gained valuable lessons when resizing the operations, capitalizing on strong demand while adjusting our network, and turned a very complex situation into a solid financial result for the fourth quarter. We recorded our highest-ever historical quarterly TRASM and posted a net income of $112 million. Our performance demonstrated resilience in the face of the challenges encountered throughout the year, such as the extended FAA downgrade of Mexico to CAT 2, Pratt & Whitney's engine preventive accelerated inspections, and slot reductions at the Mexico City International Airport. Our proactive strategies and mitigation plan have proven effective.

Looking ahead, 2024 holds promise, as our booking curves and total unit revenues indicate continuing favorable trends aligned with guidance. We expect that our focus on operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and prudent capacity management will continue to drive profitability.”

 


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

[2] Includes short-term investments.

53 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

Full Year 2023 Highlights[3]

(All figures are reported in U.S. dollars and compared to FY 2022 unless otherwise noted)

 

<Net income of $8 million. Earnings per share of $0.01 and earnings per ADS of $0.07.
<Total operating revenues of $3,259 million, a 14% increase.
<Total revenue per available seat mile (TRASM) increased 3.8% to $8.38 cents.
<Available seat miles (ASMs) increased 10% to 38.9 billion.
<Total operating expenses of $3,036 million, representing 93% of total operating revenue.
<Total operating expenses per available seat mile (CASM) decreased 1.7% to $7.81 cents.
<Average economic fuel cost decreased 18% to $3.11 per gallon.
<CASM ex fuel increased 13% to $4.81 cents.
<EBITDAR of $823 million, a 40% increase.
<EBITDAR margin was 25.2%, an increase of 4.7 percentage points.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


[3]As of January 1, 2022, all figures are reported in U.S. dollars.

54 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Financial and Operations Highlights3

(All figures are reported in U.S. dollars and compared to 4Q 2022 and FY 2022 unless otherwise noted)

 

 

  Fourth Quarter Full Year
Consolidated Financial Highlights 2023 2022 Var. 2023 2022 Var.
Total operating revenue (millions) 899 820 9.6% 3,259 2,847 14.5%
TRASM (cents) 9.56 8.63 10.7% 8.38 8.07 3.8%
ASMs (million, scheduled & charter) 9,402 9,504 (1.1%) 38,890 35,281 10.2%
Load Factor (scheduled, RPMs/ASMs) 88.1% 87.3% 0.8 pp 86.0% 85.6% 0.4 pp
Passengers (thousand, scheduled & charter) 8,247 8,475 (2.7%) 33,497 31,051 7.9%
Fleet (at the end of the period) 129 117 12 129 117 12
Total operating expenses (millions) 735 760 (3.3%) 3,036 2,803 8.3%
CASM (cents) 7.81 8.00 (2.3%) 7.81 7.95 (1.7%)
CASM excl. fuel (cents) 4.86 4.39 10.7% 4.81 4.26 12.8%
Adjusted CASM excl. fuel (cents)[4] 5.07 4.10 23.7% 4.57 3.97 15.0%
Operating income (EBIT) (millions) 164 60 173.3% 223 44 406.8%
% EBIT Margin 18.3% 7.3% 11.0 pp 6.8% 1.5% 5.3 pp
Net income (loss) (millions) 112 (22) N/A 8 (80) N/A
% Net income (loss) margin 12.5% (2.7%) 15.2 pp 0.2% (2.8%) 3.1 pp
EBITDAR (millions) 281 208 35.1% 823 586 40.4%
% EBITDAR Margin 31.3% 25.3% 6.0 pp 25.2% 20.6% 4.7 pp
Net debt-to-EBITDAR[5] 3.4x 3.9x -0.5x 3.4x 3.9x -0.5x

 

Reconciliation of CASM to Adjusted CASM ex fuel:

 

 

 

  Fourth Quarter Full Year
Reconciliation of CASM 2023 2022 Var. 2023 2022 Var.
CASM (cents) 7.81 8.00 (2.3%) 7.81 7.95 (1.7%)
Fuel expense (2.95) (3.61) (18.4%) (3.00) (3.69) (18.9%)
CASM ex fuel 4.86 4.39 10.7% 4.81 4.26 12.8%
Aircraft and engine variable lease expenses[6] 0.15 (0.36) N/A (0.27) (0.35) (24.4%)
Sale and lease back gains 0.06 0.07 (15.2%) 0.03 0.06 (47.9%)
Adjusted CASM ex fuel 5.07 4.10 23.7% 4.57 3.97 15.0%

 


Note: Figures are rounded for convenience purposes. Further detail can be found in financial and operating indicators.

3 As of January 1, 2022, all figures are reported in U.S. dollars.

[4] Excludes fuel expense, aircraft and engine variable lease expenses and sale and lease-back gains.

[5] Includes short-term investments.

[6] Aircraft redeliveries.

55 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

Fourth Quarter 2023

 

Total operating revenues in the quarter were $899 million, a 10% increase, driven by an improved load factor and increased adoption of ancillary offerings.

 

Booked passengers amounted to 8.2 million in the quarter, a decrease of 2.7%. Domestic booked passengers decreased 7.7%, while international booked passengers increased 17%.

 

Total capacity, in terms of available seat miles (ASMs), decreased 1.1% to 9.4 billion.

 

The load factor for the quarter reached 88.1%, representing an increase of 0.8 percentage points compared to the same period in 2022.

 

TRASM increased 11% to $9.56 cents in the quarter and total operating revenue per passenger stood at $109, representing a 13% increase.

 

The average base fare was $54, a decline of 2.3%. The total ancillary revenue per passenger was $55, a 32% increase. Ancillary revenue represented 50% of total operating revenue, 7.6 percentage points above the fourth quarter 2022.

 

Total operating expenses in the quarter were $735 million, representing 82% of total operating revenue, compared to 93% in the fourth quarter of 2022.

 

CASM totaled $7.81 cents, a 2.3% decrease when compared to the same period of 2022. The average economic fuel cost decreased 16% to $3.13 per gallon in the period.

 

CASM ex fuel increased 11% to $4.86 cents. These increases were mainly caused by higher fleet depreciation, reduced capacity, and a stronger Mexican peso; partially offset by lower redelivery costs due to lease extensions and the compensation from Pratt & Whitney.

 

Comprehensive financing result represented an expense of $35 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to a $38 million expense in the same period of 2022. For the period, the average exchange rate was Ps.17.58 per U.S. dollar, a 11% appreciation compared to the same quarter of 2022. At the end of the fourth quarter, the exchange rate stood at Ps.16.89 per U.S. dollar.

 

Income tax expense for the quarter was $17 million, compared to $44 million registered in the same period of 2022.

 

Net income in the quarter was $112 million, with an earnings per share of $0.10 and an earnings per ADS of $0.97 cents.

 

EBITDAR for the quarter was $281 million, an increase of 35% compared to the same period in 2022, primarily attributable to higher unit revenues and lower fuel prices. EBITDAR margin stood at 31.3%, an increase of 6.0 percentage points compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

56 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

Cash Flow

 

Net cash flow provided by operating activities in the quarter was $218 million. Net cash flow used in financing and investing activities was $82 million and $113 million, respectively.

 

Full Year 2023

 

Total operating revenues were $3,259 million, an increase of 14% compared to 2022.

 

Volaris transported 33.5 million passengers, an increase of 7.9%, while total capacity for the year, in terms of available seat miles (ASMs), increased 10% to 38.9 billion.

 

Load factor reached 86.0%, an increase of 0.4 percentage points compared to 2022.

 

TRASM increased 3.8% to $8.38 cents. Average base fare was $49, a 7.9% decrease and total operating revenue per passenger stood at $97, representing an increase of 6.1%.

 

Ancillary revenue per passenger was $48, posting a 26% increase and represented 49% of total operating revenues.

 

Volaris posted total operating expenses of $3,036 million, representing 93% of total operating revenue,

compared to 98% in 2022.

 

CASM decreased 1.7% to $7.81 cents. The average economic fuel cost of $3.11 per gallon, a 18% decrease compared to 2022 levels. CASM ex fuel increased 13% to $4.81 cents.

 

The comprehensive financing result for the full year 2023 amounted to an expense of $215 million, compared to the $176 million expense posted in 2022. The average exchange rate was Ps.17.76 per US dollar, a 12% appreciation compared to 2022. At the end of the period, the exchange rate stood at Ps.16.89 per US dollar.

 

The Company recorded an income tax benefit for the full year 2023 of $0.4 million, compared to an income tax benefit of $52 million registered in 2022.

 

For the full year 2023, Volaris reported a net income of $8 million, with an earnings per share of $0.01 and earnings per ADS of $0.07.

 

Volaris registered an EBITDAR of $823 million, a 40% increase compared to 2022. EBITDAR margin was 25.2%, an increase of 4.7 percentage points.

 

 

 

57 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

Balance Sheet, Liquidity and Capital Allocation

 

As of December 31, 2023, cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments were $789 million, representing 24% of the last twelve months total operating revenue.

 

Net cash flow provided by operating activities was $730 million, while cash used in investing and

financing activities were $462 million and $214 million, respectively.

 

The financial debt amounted to $653 million, while total lease liabilities stood at $2,906 million, bringing the net debt to $2,770 million.

 

Net debt-to-LTM EBITDAR[7] ratio stood at 3.4x, compared to 3.9x in 2022 and 3.5x in the third quarter of 2023.

 

 


[7] Includes short-term investments.

58 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

2024 Guidance

 

For the first quarter of 2024, the Company expects:

 

  1Q’24 1Q’23 (1)
1Q’24 Guidance    
ASM growth (YoY) -16% to -18% +17.7%
TRASM $8.5 to $8.7 cents $7.71 cents
CASM ex fuel $5.5 to $5.7 cents $4.65 cents
EBITDAR margin 25% to 27% 16.8%
Average USD/MXN rate Ps. $17.00 to $17.20 Ps. 18.70
Average U.S. Gulf Coast jet fuel price $2.55 to $2.65 $3.06

(1) For convenience purposes, actual reported figures for 1Q'23 are included.

 

 

For the full year 2024, the Company expects:

 

  2024 2023 (2)
Full Year Guidance    
ASM growth (YoY) -16% to -18% +10.2%
EBITDAR margin 31% to 33% 25.2%
CAPEX (3) ~$300 million $252 million
Average USD/MXN rate Ps. $17.70 to $17.90 Ps.17.76
Average U.S. Gulf Coast jet fuel price $2.50 to $2.60 $2.73

(2) For convenience purposes, actual reported figures for 2023 are included.

(3) CAPEX net of financed fleet predelivery payments.

 

 

The first quarter and full year 2024 outlook presented above includes the compensation that Volaris expects to receive for the projected grounded aircraft resulting from the GTF engine removals, in accordance with the Company’s agreement with Pratt & Whitney that was previously announced on December 5, 2023.

 

The Company's outlook is subject to unforeseen disruptions, macroeconomic factors, or other negative impacts that may affect its business, and is based on several assumptions, including the foregoing, which are subject to change and may be outside the control of the Company and its management. The Company's expectations may change if actual results vary from these assumptions. There can be no assurances that Volaris will achieve these results. 

 

59 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

Fleet

During the fourth quarter, Volaris added four A321neo aircraft to its fleet, bringing the total number of aircraft to 129 as of December 31st, 2023. At the end of the year, Volaris’ fleet has an average age of 5.7 years and an average seating capacity of 196 passengers per aircraft. Of the total fleet, 59% of the aircraft are New Engine Option (NEO) models.

 

  Fourth Quarter Third Quarter
Total Fleet 2023 2022 Var. 2023 Var.
CEO          
A319 3 4 (1) 3 -
A320 40 40 - 40 -
A321 10 10 - 10 -
NEO          
A320 51 48 3 51 -
A321 25 15 10 21 4
Total aircraft at the end of the period 129 117 12 125 4
             

 

  

 

The information included in this release, including the Company’s full-year 2023 financial information, has not been audited and reflects the Company’s current estimates based on information available as of the date of this release. Such information is subject to change as a result of the completion of the Company’s financial and operating closing procedures, customary audit procedures, and other developments that may occur before the completion of these procedures. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on this preliminary information or guidance, which may differ materially from actual results. Volaris’ future performance depends on several factors. It cannot be inferred that any period’s performance or its comparison year over year will indicate a similar performance in the future.

 

Investors are urged to carefully read the Company’s periodic reports filed with or provided to the Securities and Exchange Commission, for additional information regarding the Company. 

 

 

60 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

  

Investor Relations Contact

Ricardo Martínez / ir@volaris.com

 

Media Contact

Israel Álvarez / ialvarez@gcya.net

 

 

 

Conference Call Details

 

Date: Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Time: 8:00 am Mexico City / 9:00 am New York (USA) (ET)
Webcast link: Volaris Webcast (View the live webcast)
Dial-in & Live Q&A link:

Volaris Dial-in and Live Q&A

 

1.     Click on the call link and complete the online registration form.

2.     Upon registering you will receive the dial-in info and a unique PIN to join the call, as well as an email confirmation with the details.

3.     Select a method for joining the call:

i.   Dial-In: A dial-in number and unique PIN are displayed to connect directly from your phone.

ii.   Call Me: Enter your phone number and click “Call Me” for an immediate callback from the system.

  

 

61 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

 

About Volaris

 

*Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, 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, Central, and South America. Volaris offers low base fares to build its market, providing quality service and extensive customer choice. Since the beginning of operations in March 2006, Volaris has increased its routes from 5 to more than 211 and its fleet from 4 to 133 aircraft. Volaris offers more than 550 daily flight segments on routes that connect 43 cities in Mexico and 28 cities in the United States, Central, and South America, with one of the youngest fleets in Mexico. Volaris targets passengers who are visiting friends and relatives, cost-conscious business and leisure travelers in Mexico, the United States, Central, and South America. Volaris has received the ESR Award for Social Corporate Responsibility for fourteen consecutive years. For more information, please visit ir.volaris.com. Volaris routinely posts information that may be important to investors on its investor relations website. The Company encourages investors and potential investors to consult the Volaris website regularly for important information about Volaris.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Statements in this release contain various forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which represent the Company's expectations, beliefs, or projections concerning future events and financial trends affecting the financial condition of our business. When used in this release, the words "expects," “intends,” "estimates," “predicts,” "plans," "anticipates," "indicates," "believes," "forecast," "guidance," “potential,” "outlook," "may," “continue,” "will," "should," "seeks," "targets" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Similarly, statements describing the Company's objectives, plans or goals, or actions the Company may take in the future are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's first quarter and full year 2024 outlook, maintenance of its full year 2023 guidance, expectation to receive certain compensation in connection with the GTF engine removals and anticipated execution of its business plan and focus on its 2024 priorities. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee or assurance of future performance or results. They will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at or by which such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made and/or management’s good faith belief as of that time concerning future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to several factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations, including the competitive environment in the airline industry, the Company's ability to keep costs low; changes in fuel costs, the impact of worldwide economic conditions on customer travel behavior; the Company's ability to generate non-ticket revenue; and government regulation. The Company's US Securities and Exchange Commission filings contain additional information concerning these and other factors. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements set forth above. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information except to the extent required by applicable law. If we update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

 

Supplemental Information on Non-GAAP Measures

 

We evaluate our financial performance by using various financial measures that are not performance measures under International Financial Reporting Standards (“non-IFRS measures”). These non-IFRS measures include CASM, CASM ex-fuel, Adjusted CASM ex-fuel, EBITDAR, Net debt-to-LTM EBITDAR, Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and short-term investments. We define CASM as total operating expenses by available seat mile. We define CASM ex-fuel as total operating expenses by available seat mile, excluding fuel expense. We define Adjusted CASM ex fuel as total operating expenses by available seat mile, excluding fuel expense, aircraft and engine variable lease expenses and sale and lease back gains. We define EBITDAR as earnings before interest, income tax, depreciation and amortization, depreciation of right of use assets and aircraft and engine variable lease expenses. We define Net debt-to-LTM EBITDAR as Net debt divided by LTM EBITDAR. We define Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and short-term investments as the sum of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and short-term investments.

 

These non-IFRS measures are provided as supplemental information to the financial information presented in this release that is calculated and presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) because we believe that they, in conjunction with the IFRS financial information, provide useful information to management’s, analysts and investors overall understanding of our operating performance.

 

Because non-IFRS measures are not calculated in accordance with IFRS, they should not be considered superior to and are not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related IFRS measures presented in this release and may not be the same as or comparable to

similarly titled measures presented by other companies due to possible differences in the method of calculation and the items being adjusted.

 

We encourage investors to review our financial statements and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission in their entirety for additional information regarding the Company and not to rely on any single financial measure.

 

62 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, S.A.B. de C.V. and Subsidiaries

Financial and Operating Indicators

 

Unaudited
(In millions U.S. dollars, except otherwise indicated)
Three months ended December 31, 2023 Three months ended December 31, 2022 Variance
Total operating revenues (millions) 899 820 9.6%
Total operating expenses (millions) 735 760 (3.3%)
EBIT (millions) 164 60 173.3%
EBIT margin 18.3% 7.3% 11.0 pp
Depreciation and amortization (millions) 131 114 14.9%
Aircraft and engine variable lease expenses (millions) (14) 34 N/A
Net income (loss) (millions) 112 (22) N/A
Net income (loss) margin 12.5% (2.7%) 15.2 pp
Earnings (loss) per share (6):      
Basic 0.10 (0.02) N/A
Diluted 0.10 (0.02) N/A
Earnings (loss) per ADS *:      
Basic 0.97 (0.19) N/A
Diluted 0.96 (0.19) N/A
Weighted average shares outstanding:      
Basic 1,151,640,062 1,152,794,610 (0.1%)
Diluted 1,165,847,298 1,165,048,915 0.1%
Financial Indicators      
Total operating revenue per ASM (TRASM) (cents) (1) 9.56 8.63 10.7%
Average base fare per passenger 54 55 (2.3%)
Total ancillary revenue per passenger (3) 55 41 32.5%
Total operating revenue per passenger 109 97 12.6%
Operating expenses per ASM (CASM) (cents) (1) 7.81 8.00 (2.3%)
CASM ex fuel (cents) (1) 4.86 4.39 10.7%
Adjusted CASM ex fuel (cents) (1) (5) 5.07 4.10 23.7%
Operating Indicators      
Available seat miles (ASMs) (millions) (1) 9,402 9,504 (1.1%)
     Domestic 5,832 6,571 (11.2%)
     International 3,570 2,933 21.7%
Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) (millions) (1) 8,288 8,300 (0.2%)
     Domestic 5,356  5,831 (8.1%)
     International 2,931 2,469 18.7%
Load factor (2) 88.1% 87.3% 0.8 pp
     Domestic 91.8% 88.7% 3.1 pp
     International 82.1% 84.2% (2.1 pp)
Booked passengers (thousands) (1) 8,247 8,475 (2.7%)
     Domestic 6,225 6,746 (7.7%)
     International 2,022 1,729 17.0%
Departures (1) 47,671 50,950 (6.4%)
Block hours (1) 125,221 131,860 (5.0%)
Aircraft at end of period 129 117 12
Average aircraft utilization (block hours) 13.23 13.29 (0.4%)
Fuel gallons accrued (millions) 88.0 91.9 (4.2%)
Average economic fuel cost per gallon (4) 3.13 3.71 (15.5%)
Average exchange rate 17.58 19.70 (10.7%)
Exchange rate at the end of the period 16.89 19.36 (12.7%)
*Each ADS represents ten CPOs and each CPO represents a financial interest in one Series A share
(1) Includes schedule and charter.
(2) Includes schedule.
(3) Includes “Other passenger revenues” and “Non-passenger revenues”.
(4) Excludes Non-creditable VAT.
(5) Excludes fuel expense, aircraft and engine variable lease expenses and sale
and lease-back gains.
(6) The basic and diluted loss or earnings per share are calculated in
accordance with IAS 33. Basic loss or earnings per share is calculated by
dividing net loss or earnings by the average number of shares outstanding
(excluding treasury shares). Diluted loss or earnings per share is calculated by
dividing net loss or earnings by the average number of shares outstanding
adjusted for dilutive effects.

63 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, S.A.B. de C.V. and Subsidiaries

Financial and Operating Indicators

 

Unaudited
(In U.S. dollars, except otherwise indicated)
Twelve months ended December 31, 2023 Twelve months ended December 31, 2022 Variance
Total operating revenues (millions) 3,259 2,847 14.5%
Total operating expenses (millions) 3,036 2,803 8.3%
EBIT (millions) 223 44 406.8%
EBIT margin 6.8% 1.5% 5.3 pp
Depreciation and amortization (millions) 496 417 18.9%
Aircraft and engine variable lease expenses (millions) 104 125 (16.8%)
Net income (loss) (millions) 8 (80) N/A
Net income (loss) margin 0.2% (2.8%) 3.1 pp
Earnings (loss) per share (6):      
Basic 0.01 (0.07) N/A
Diluted 0.01 (0.07) N/A
Earnings (loss) per ADS *:      
Basic 0.07 (0.69) N/A
Diluted 0.07 (0.69) N/A
Weighted average shares outstanding:      
Basic 1,152,609,485 1,155,029,942 (0.2%)
Diluted 1,165,450,734 1,165,083,012 0.0%
Financial Indicators      
Total operating revenue per ASM (TRASM) (cents) (1) 8.38 8.07 3.8%
Average base fare per passenger 49 53 (7.9%)
Total ancillary revenue per passenger (3) 48 38 25.7%
Total operating revenue per passenger 97 92 6.1%
Operating expenses per ASM (CASM) (cents) (1) 7.81 7.95 (1.7%)
CASM ex fuel (cents) (1) 4.81 4.26 12.8%
Adjusted CASM ex fuel (cents) (1) (5) 4.57 3.97 15.0%
Operating Indicators      
Available seat miles (ASMs) (millions) (1) 38,890 35,281 10.2%
     Domestic 25,630 24,604 4.2%
     International 13,260 10,676 24.2%
Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) (millions) (1) 33,449 30,191 10.8%
     Domestic 22,422 21,623 3.7%
     International 11,027 8,569 28.7%
Load factor (2) 86.0% 85.6% 0.4 pp
     Domestic 87.5% 87.9% (0.4 pp)
     International 83.2% 80.3% 2.9 pp
Booked passengers (thousands) (1) 33,497 31,051 7.9%
     Domestic 25,909 25,043 3.5%
     International 7,588 6,007 26.3%
Departures (1) 201,376 193,050 4.3%
Block hours (1) 523,761 494,475 5.9%
Aircraft at the end of the year 129 117 12
Average aircraft utilization (block hours) 13.37 13.28 0.7%
Fuel gallons accrued (millions) 372.2 340.1 9.5%
Average economic fuel cost per gallon (4) 3.11 3.80 (18.0%)
Average exchange rate 17.76 20.12 (11.7%)
Exchange rate at the end of the year 16.89 19.36 (12.7%)
*Each ADS represents ten CPOs and each CPO represents a financial interest in one Series A share
(1) Includes schedule and charter.
(2) Includes schedule.
(3) Includes “Other passenger revenues” and “Non-passenger revenues”.
(4) Excludes Non-creditable VAT.
(5) Excludes fuel expense, aircraft and engine variable lease expenses and sale
and lease-back gains.
(6) The basic and diluted loss or earnings per share are calculated in
accordance with IAS 33. Basic loss or earnings per share is calculated by
dividing net loss or earnings by the average number of shares outstanding
(excluding treasury shares). Diluted loss or earnings per share is calculated by dividing net loss or earnings by the average number of shares outstanding
adjusted for dilutive effects.

64 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, S.A.B. de C.V. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Operations

 

Unaudited
(In millions of U.S. dollars)
Three months ended December 31, 2023 Three months ended December 31, 2022 Variance
Operating revenues:      
Passenger revenues 865 792 9.2%
Fare revenues 447 470 (4.9%)
Other passenger revenues 418 322 29.8%
       
Non-passenger revenues 34 28 21.4%
Other non-passenger revenues 28 23 21.7%
Cargo 6 5 20.0%
       
Total operating revenues 899 820 9.6%
       
Other operating income (12) (7) 71.4%
Aircraft and engine variable lease expenses (14) 34 N/A
Fuel expense 277 343 (19.2%)
Landing, take-off and navigation expenses 137 102 34.3%
Salaries and benefits 101 79 27.8%
Depreciation of right of use assets 94 84 11.9%
Other operating expenses 46 32 43.8%
Sales, marketing and distribution expenses 45 40 12.5%
Maintenance expenses 24 23 4.3%
Depreciation and amortization 37 30 23.3%
Operating expenses 735 760 (3.3%)
       
Operating income 164 60 173.3%
       
Finance income 14 7 100.0%
Finance cost (45) (55) (18.2%)
Exchange (loss) gain, net (4) 10 N/A
Comprehensive financing result (35) (38) (7.9%)
       
Income before income tax 129 22 486.4%
Income tax expense (17) (44) (61.4%)
Net income (loss) 112 (22) N/A
       

 

 

 

 

65 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, S.A.B. de C.V. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Operations

 

Unaudited
(In millions of U.S. dollars)
Twelve months ended December 31, 2023 Twelve months ended December 31, 2022
(Audited)
Variance
Operating revenues:      
 Passenger revenues 3,123 2,739 14.0%
   Fare revenues 1,650 1,661 (0.7%)
   Other passenger revenues 1,473 1,078 36.6%
       
 Non-passenger revenues 136 108 25.9%
   Other non-passenger revenues 116 93 24.7%
   Cargo 20 15 33.3%
       
Total operating revenues 3,259 2,847 14.5%
       
Other operating income (16) (25) (36.0%)
Fuel expense 1,165 1,299 (10.3%)
Landing, take-off and navigation expenses 503 379 32.7%
Salaries and benefits 387 283 36.7%
Depreciation of right of use assets 362 320 13.1%
Sales, marketing and distribution expenses 167 124 34.7%
Other operating expenses 132 103 28.2%
Aircraft and engine variable lease expenses 104 125 (16.8%)
Maintenance expenses 98 98 0.0%
Depreciation and amortization 134 97 38.1%
Operating expenses 3,036 2,803 8.3%
       
Operating income 223 44 406.8%
       
Finance income 38 13 192.3%
Finance cost (219) (193) 13.5%
Exchange (loss) gain, net (34) 4 N/A
Comprehensive financing result (215) (176) 22.2%
       
Income (loss) before income tax 8 (132) N/A
Income tax benefit 0 52 (100.0%)
Net income (loss) 8 (80) N/A
       

 

 

 

 

66 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, S.A.B. de C.V. and Subsidiaries

 

Reconciliation of Total Ancillary Revenue per Passenger

 

 

The following table shows quarterly additional detail about the components of total ancillary revenue:

 

Unaudited
(In millions of U.S. dollars)
Three months ended December 31, 2023 Three months ended December 31, 2022 Variance
       
Other passenger revenues 418 322 29.8%
Non-passenger revenues 34 28 21.4%
Total ancillary revenues 452 350 29.1%
       
Booked passengers (thousands) (1) 8,247 8,475 (2.7%)
       
Total ancillary revenue per passenger 55 41 32.5%
       
(1) Includes schedule and charter.

 

 

 

Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, S.A.B. de C.V. and Subsidiaries

 

Reconciliation of Total Ancillary Revenue per Passenger

 

 

The following table shows additional detail about the components of total ancillary revenue for the full year 2023:

 

Unaudited
(In millions of U.S. dollars)
Twelve months ended December 31, 2023 Twelve months ended December 31, 2022
(Audited)
Variance
       
Other passenger revenues 1,473 1,078 36.6%
Non-passenger revenues 136 108 25.9%
Total ancillary revenues 1,609 1,186 35.7%
       
Booked passengers (thousands) (1) 33,497 31,051 7.9%
       
Total ancillary revenue per passenger 48 38 25.7%
       
(1) Includes schedule and charter.

 

 

67 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

 

Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, S.A.B. de C.V. and Subsidiaries

 

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

 

(In millions of U.S. dollars) As of December 31, 2023
(Unaudited)
As of December 31, 2022
(Audited)
Assets    
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 774 712
Short-term investments 15 -
Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and short-term investments (1) 789 -
Accounts receivable, net 251 240
Inventories 16 16
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 44 33
Assets held-for-sale - 1
Guarantee deposits 148 64
Total current assets 1,248 1,066
Rotable spare parts, furniture and equipment, net 805 479
Right of use assets 2,353 2,181
Intangible assets, net 16 13
Derivatives financial instruments 2 2
Deferred income taxes 236 208
Guarantee deposits 462 484
Other long-term assets 39 36
Total non-current assets 3,913 3,403
Total assets 5,161 4,469
Liabilities and equity    
Unearned transportation revenue 343 346
Accounts payable 250 209
Accrued liabilities 163 190
Lease liabilities 373 336
Other taxes and fees payable 262 218
Income taxes payable 8 6
Financial debt 220 112
Other liabilities 2 5
Total short-term liabilities 1,621 1,422
Financial debt 433 161
Accrued liabilities 14 13
Lease liabilities 2,533 2,373
Other liabilities 286 244
Employee benefits 15 11
Deferred income taxes 16 10
Total long-term liabilities 3,297 2,812
Total liabilities 4,918 4,234
Equity    
Capital stock 248 248
Treasury shares (12) (13)
Contributions for future capital increases - -
Legal reserve 17 17
Additional paid-in capital 282 283
Accumulated deficit (148) (156)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (144) (144)
Total equity 243 235
Total liabilities and equity 5,161 4,469
     
(1) Non-GAAP measure.    

68 

 

VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 4 Year: 2023

 

 

 

Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, S.A.B. de C.V. and Subsidiaries

 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows – Cash Flow Data Summary

 

Unaudited
(In millions of U.S. dollars)
Three months ended December 31, 2023 Three months ended December 31, 2022
     
Net cash flow provided by operating activities 218 168
Net cash flow used in investing activities (113) (104)
Net cash flow used in financing activities* (82) (102)
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 23 (38)
Net foreign exchange differences 2 -
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 749 750
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period 774 712
*Includes aircraft rental payments of $139 million and $117 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, respectively.

 

 

 

Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, S.A.B. de C.V. and Subsidiaries

 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows – Cash Flow Data Summary

 

Unaudited
(In millions of U.S. dollars)
Twelve months ended December 31, 2023 Twelve months ended December 31, 2022
(Audited)
     
Net cash flow provided by operating activities 730 614
Net cash flow used in investing activities (462) (131)
Net cash flow used in financing activities * (214) (513)
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 54 (30)
Net foreign exchange differences 8 1
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year 712 741
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year 774 712
*Includes aircraft rental payments of $529 million and $449 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, respectively.

 

 

 

 

69 


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