0001292814-24-001488.txt : 20240423 0001292814-24-001488.hdr.sgml : 20240423 20240422200519 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001292814-24-001488 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 6-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20240331 FILED AS OF DATE: 20240423 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20240422 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Controladora Vuela Compania de Aviacion, S.A.B. de C.V. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001520504 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: AIR TRANSPORTATION, SCHEDULED [4512] ORGANIZATION NAME: 01 Energy & Transportation IRS NUMBER: 000000000 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 6-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-36059 FILM NUMBER: 24862447 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: AV. ANTONIO DOVAL? JAIME NO. 70 STREET 2: PISO 13 CITY: COL. ZEDEC SANTA FE STATE: O5 ZIP: 01210 BUSINESS PHONE: (52) 55-5261-6400 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: AV. ANTONIO DOVAL? JAIME NO. 70 STREET 2: PISO 13 CITY: COL. ZEDEC SANTA FE STATE: O5 ZIP: 01210 6-K 1 vlrspr1q24_6k.htm 6-K

 

 

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 April 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  x                                            Form 40-F  o

 

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 April 22, 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 First Quarter 2024: Net Income of USD $33 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: April 22, 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 April 22, 2024, titled “Volaris Reports Financial Results for the First Quarter 2024: Net Income of USD $33 million.”

 

 

 

EX-99.1 2 ex99-1.htm EX-99.1

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 Alejandra Van Dam
J.P.Morgan Guilherme Mendes
UBS Alberto Valerio
Santander Pablo Ricalde
Signum Research Armando Rodríguez
Vector Marco Antonio Montañez

 

 

 

 

1 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

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 a 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 underlying 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: 1 Year: 2024
  

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 March 31, 2024, the Company has 8 ISDAs in place with different financial institutions and no activity was registered during the first quarter of 2024.

 

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 first quarter of 2024, 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: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

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 March 31, 2024 (unaudited) and December 31, 2023 (audited) and the condensed consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, for the three months period ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 (unaudited), changes in equity and cash flows for the three months period ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 (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, 2023, and 2022 (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 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 March 31, 2024 (unaudited) and December 31, 2023 (audited), for accounting purposes the companies included in the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements are as follows:

 

 

 

4 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  
Name

Principal

Activities

Country % Equity interest
March 31, 2024

December 31

2023

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”) (1) 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. (1) 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”) (1) 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%
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 Pre-delivery payments financing Mexico 100% 100%
CIBanco, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, Fideicomiso CIB/3855 Pre-delivery payments financing Mexico 100% 100%
CIBanco, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, Fideicomiso CIB/3866 Pre-delivery payments financing Mexico 100% 100%
CIBanco, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, Fideicomiso CIB/3867 Pre-delivery payments financing Mexico 100% 100%
CIBanco, S. A, Institución de Banca Múltiple, Fideicomiso CIB/3921 Pre-delivery payments financing Mexico 100% 100%
Bank of Utah, N503VL (2) Aircraft administration trust Mexico 100% -

 

(1)The Companies have not started operations.
(2)With effect from March 15, 2024, the trust was constituted.

 

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.

 

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.

 

5 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

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 evaluates, in each new transaction where applicable, the principal versus agent considerations concerning certain non-air travel service arrangements with third-party providers. When the Company determines that the underlying services are provided through third parties who are primarily responsible for providing the services, revenue for these specific non-air travel services is presented on a net basis (agent).

 

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.

 

6 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

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 services provided by the Company including sales of tickets for future flights, other passenger related services and non-passenger services 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 (Note 10). 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 after the purchase that could modify the amount of the transaction price.

 

The Company's tickets are non-refundable. However, in the event that the Company cancels a flight due to causes attributable to the airline, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the passengers are entitled to either move their flight at no additional cost, receive a refund or obtain a voucher. No revenue is recognized until either the voucher is redeemed, and the associated 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 the Company´s revenues related to future services are rendered through an approximate period of 12 months.

 

Contract with FEMSA

 

Under the "Spin Premia" agreement customers participating in this program are entitled to accumulate or redeem points when they purchase goods or use services with any of the companies that are part of the coalition.

 

The points accumulated for services provided by the Company are recorded as a reduction in revenues. The points redeemed for the Company's services are recorded as deferred revenue until the time when the service is provided, or the points expire. The value of points is determined according to contractual conditions between the Company and FEMSA.

 

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.

 

7 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

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.

 

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: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

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.

 

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: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

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, which ever less. 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, typically extending no more than five years. 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: 1 Year: 2024
  

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 cost to sell. Fair value less cost to sell 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 In the consolidated statement of operations, 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 aircraft. 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: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

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, 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 checks.

 

(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 six 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: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

l)Rotable spare parts, furniture and equipment, net

 

Rotable spare parts, furniture and equipment, are recorded at cost and are depreciated over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method. Depreciation is calculated based on the cost less the estimated residual value of assets.

 

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 (1)

 

(1) The period is determined in accordance with usage.

 

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 long-lived assets and the entire fleet, including right-of-use assets and flight equipment. The Company assesses at each reporting date, whether there is objective evidence that long-lived assets and the entire fleet, including right-of-use assets and flight equipment are impaired in the CGU. The Company records impairment charges 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, typically extending no more than five years. 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:

 

13 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

·Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into the respective functional currencies at the exchange rates at the dates of the transactions.
·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: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

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 2023, 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: 1 Year: 2024
  

- 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, further details of which are given in. 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 2 “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.

 

In April 2023, the Company's Annual General Shareholders' Meeting modified the terms of the BoDIP so that starting in 2023 certain members of the Board of Directors receive additional benefits through a stock-based plan.

 

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: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

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 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 March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, there were no impairment charges recorded in respect of the right-of-use assets.

 

 

17 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  
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.

 

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, then the transaction constitutes a failed sale and leaseback and is accounted for as financing transaction. 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.

 

During 2023, the Company entered into 11 sale and leaseback transactions involving engines. These transactions were classified as failed sale and leaseback arrangements due to the presence of a substantive option allowing the Company to repurchase the engines at the end of the lease term.

 

q)Return obligations

 

The aircraft and engine lease agreements of the Company require specific return conditions, which are described as follows:

 

a)Dismantling and removing the underlying asset to meet the conditions stipulated in the lease agreement, typically related to aircraft standardization and painting which can be reasonably estimated at the beginning of the lease. These costs are initially recognized at present value as part of the cost of right-of-use assets.

 

b)Aircraft components (airframe, APU and landing gears) and engines (overhaul and limited life parts) must 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.

 

 

18 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  
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.

 

Deferred income tax

 

Deferred income 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 income 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 income tax assets are recognized for all deductible temporary differences, the carry-forward of unused tax credits and any available tax losses. Deferred income 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 income 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 income 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 income 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 income 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 income tax assets and Deferred income tax liabilities are offset if a legally enforceable right exists to set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities and the Deferred income 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. 

 

19 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

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.
·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 March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, 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. As of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the Company did not recognize an ineffective portion with respect to derivative financial instruments.

 

20 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

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.

 

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: 1 Year: 2024
  

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 March 31, 2024, and 2023

 

(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 the laws of Mexico 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, Mexico, 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 Infraestructura, 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.

 

22 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

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 1, 2016.

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 (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 (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 (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 are aligned 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 incentives 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.

 

On September 28, 2023 “Concesionaria” completed the offering of 15,000,000 (fifteen million) asset backed trust notes (certificados bursátiles fiduciarios) (the “Trust Notes “) in Mexico under the ticker VOLARCB 23 for an amount of Ps.1.5 billion (US$85.8 million, based on an exchange rate of Ps.17.47 to US$1 on September 28, 2023) by CIBanco, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, acting as Trustee of the Irrevocable Trust number CIB/3249 created by Concesionaria Vuela Compañía de Aviación, S.A.P.I. de C.V., in the third offering under the program authorized and enlarged by the Mexican National Banking and Securities Commission for an amount of up to Ps.5.0 billion (US$286.2 million, based on an exchange rate of Ps.17.47 to US$1 on September 28, 2023). The Trust Notes will be backed by future collection rights under agreements entered into with credit card processors regarding flows derived from the sale of airline tickets and other related services through VISA and Mastercard credit cards, through their internet portal, travel agencies, call centers and sales offices. The Trust Notes have a maturity term of five years and will pay an interest rate of Tasa de Interes Interbancaria de Equilibrio (“TIIE”) 28 plus 215 basis points spread. The underwriters were Casa de Bolsa BBVA México, S.A. de C.V., Grupo Financiero BBVA México and Actinver Casa de Bolsa, S.A. de C.V., Grupo Financiero Actinver.

 

23 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

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.

 

On November 22, 2023, all holders 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.

 

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 April 18, 2024, and subsequent events were considered through that date. 

 

Relevant events

 

Adoption of rules related to climate aspects

 

On March 6, 2024, the US Securities and Exchange Commission adopted final rules mandating registrants to disclose specific climate-related information. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of these regulations on its reporting practices.

 

CleanJoule

 

On March 15, 2024, the Company made a second investment of US$1,367 by purchasing 109,386 shares of common stock in CleanJoule, Inc.

 

Basis of preparation

 

Statement of compliance

 

The unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements, which include the condensed consolidated statements of financial position as of March 31, 2024 (unaudited) and December 31, 2023 (audited) and the condensed consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, for the three months period ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 (unaudited), changes in equity and cash flows for the three months period ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 (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, 2023, and 2022 (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 the previous period.

 

24 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

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 March 31, 2024 (unaudited) and December 31, 2023 (audited), for accounting purposes the companies included in the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements are as follows:

 

Name

Principal

Activities

Country % Equity interest
March 31, 2024

December 31

2023

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”) (1) 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. (1) 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”) (1) 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%
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 Pre-delivery payments financing Mexico 100% 100%
CIBanco, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, Fideicomiso CIB/3855 Pre-delivery payments financing Mexico 100% 100%
CIBanco, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, Fideicomiso CIB/3866 Pre-delivery payments financing Mexico 100% 100%
CIBanco, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, Fideicomiso CIB/3867 Pre-delivery payments financing Mexico 100% 100%
CIBanco, S. A, Institución de Banca Múltiple, Fideicomiso CIB/3921 Pre-delivery payments financing Mexico 100% 100%
Bank of Utah, N503VL (2) Aircraft administration trust Mexico 100% -

 

(1)The Companies have not started operations.
(2)With effect from March 15, 2024, the trust was constituted.

 

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

 

 

25 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

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.

 

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 2023, except for the adoption of new standards effective as of 1 January 2024.

 

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 2024, 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:

 

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.

 

26 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

In addition, a requirement has been introduced to require disclosure when a liability arising from a loan agreement is classified as non-current and the entity’s right to defer settlement is contingent on compliance with future covenants within twelve months.

 

The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1st, 2024, and must be applied retrospectively.

 

As of March 31, 2024, these amendments did not have impact the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company.

 

Amendments to IFRS 16: Lease Liability in a Sale and Leaseback

 

In September 2022, the IASB issued amendments to IFRS 16 to specify the requirements that a seller-lessee uses in measuring the lease liability arising in a sale and leaseback transaction, to ensure the seller-lessee does not recognize any amount of the gain or loss that relates to the right of use it retains.

 

The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2024 and must applied retrospectively to sale and leaseback transactions entered into after the date of initial application of IFRS 16. Earlier application is permitted, and that fact must be disclosed.

 

The Company is currently assessing the impact of these amendments which expects to adopt in their effective date.

 

Supplier Finance Arrangements – Amendments to IAS 7 and IFRS 7

 

In May 2023, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 7 Statement of Cash Flows and IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures to clarify the characteristics of supplier finance arrangements and require additional disclosure of such arrangements. The disclosure requirements in the amendments are intended to assist users of financial statements in understanding the effects of supplier finance arrangements on an entity’s liabilities, cash flows and exposure to liquidity risk.

 

The amendments will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2024. Early adoption is permitted but will need to be disclosed.

 

The Company is currently assessing the impact of these amendments which expects to adopt in their effective date.

 

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.

 

27 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

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.

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, 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 March 31, 2024, and 2023 represented 36% and 42% of the Company’s operating expenses, respectively.

For the three months period ended March 31, 2024, and 2023, 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.

 

 

28 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

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 Company is exposed to transactional foreign currency risk due to potential mismatches between the currencies in which sales, expenses, receivables, and borrowings are denominated, and the respective functional currencies of the Company and its subsidiaries. The U.S. dollar is the functional currency for Controladora and its main subsidiaries. Transactions are primarily denominated in U.S. dollars and Mexican pesos, with minor transactions denominated in other currencies such as Quetzales, Colombian pesos, and Colones.

 

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.

 

The summary of quantitative data about the Company’s exposure to currency risk as of March 31, 2024, is as set forth below:

 

    Mexican Pesos   Others(1)
Assets: (In thousands of U.S. dollars)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash US$ 86,939 US$ 10,665
Other accounts receivable, net   103,854   12,529
Guarantee deposits   30,590   511
Other Assets   4,833   -
Derivative Financial instruments   1,413   -
Total assets US$ 227,629 US$ 23,705
         
Liabilities:        
Financial debt US$ 173,788 US$ -
Lease liabilities   19,164   65
Suppliers   106,707   3,329
Other liabilities   57,049   2,804
Total liabilities US$ 356,708 US$ 6,198
Net foreign currency position US$ (129,079) US$ 17,507

 

(1) The foreign exchange exposure includes: Colones, Quetzales and Colombian Pesos.

 

At April 22, 2024, date of issuance of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, the exchange rate was 1 US per 17.1145 MXP.

 

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(1)
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

 

(1) The foreign exchange exposure includes: Quetzales, Colombian pesos and Colones.

 

29 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

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 March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company did not enter into foreign exchange rate derivatives financial instruments. 

 

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 starting 2022, LIBOR will no longer be used to issue new loans. USD LIBOR rates stopped being published on 30 June 2023. As of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, all our US dollar financing facilities at floating rate 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 started 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 started 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.

 

 

30 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

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 started 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.

As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company’s outstanding hedging contracts in the form of interest rate caps with notional amount of US$174.9 million and US$187.4 million, respectively, had fair values of US$1,413 and US$1,683, respectively, and are presented as part of the financial assets in the condensed consolidated statement of financial position.

 

During the three months period ended March 31, 2024, and 2023, the amortization of the intrinsic value of the cap was US$253 and US$84, 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 Company has debts related to the Aircraft pre-delivery payments, which are settled with the reimbursement of the Aircraft pre-delivery payments when the sale and leaseback transaction is carried out.

 

 

31 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

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

 

  March 31, 2024
  Within one
year
One to five
years
Total
Interest-bearing borrowings:            
Pre-delivery payments facilities US$ 201,761 US$ 108,825 US$ 310,586
Asset backed trust note (“CEBUR”)   37,475   137,406   174,881
Other financial agreements   12,380   137,716   150,096
             
Lease liabilities:            
Aircraft, engines and buildings leases   375,110   2,646,115   3,021,225
Aircraft and engine lease return obligation   11,655   289,136   300,791
Total US$ 638,381 US$ 3,319,198 US$ 3,957,579

 

  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 and buildings leases   372,697   2,518,745   2,891,442
Aircraft and engine lease return obligation   803   286,405   287,208
Total US$ 587,371 US$ 3,240,432 US$ 3,827,803

 

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.

 

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 a 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 March 31, 2024, 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.

 

32 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

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 March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. 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.

 

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.

 

 

33 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

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
    March 31, 2024   December 31, 2023   March 31, 2024   December 31, 2023
                         
Assets                        
Derivative financial Instruments   US$ 1,413   US$ 1,683   US$ 1,413   US$ 1,683
                         

 

Liabilities

                       

Financial debt

(Interest-bearing loans and borrowings)

    (635,563)     (649,153)     (656,996)     (671,590)
Total   US$ (634,150)   US$ (647,470)   US$ (655,583)   US$ (669,907)

 

The following table summarizes the fair value measurements by hierarchy at March 31, 2024:

 

  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$ 1,413   US$ -   US$ 1,413
                         
Liabilities                        
Liabilities for which fair values are disclosed:                        
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings (1)     -     (656,996)     -     (656,996)
Net   US$ -   US$ (655,583)   US$ -   US$ (655,583)

 

(1) 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 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                        
Liabilities for which fair values are disclosed:                        
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings (1)     -     (671,590)     -     (671,590)
Net   US$ -   US$ (669,907)   US$ -   US$ (669,907)

 

(1) SOFR curve and TIIE Mexican interbank rate. Includes short-term and long-term debt.

 

34 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

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 March 31, 2024, and 2023:

 

Unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations 

 

     

For the three months period ended

March 31,

Instrument   Financial statements line 2024   2023
Interest rate cap   Finance cost US$ (253)   US$ (84)
               

 

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 March 31, 2024, and 2023:

 

Unaudited condensed consolidated statements of other comprehensive income

 

   

For the three months period ended

March 31,

Instrument Financial statements line 2024 2023
Interest rate cap OCI US$ (62) US$ 322
           

 

Financial assets and liabilities

 

As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, 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

 

    March 31, 2024   December 31, 2023
Derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges (effective portion recognized within OCI)        
Interest rate cap US$ 1,413 US$ 1,683
Total derivative financial assets US$ 1,413 US$ 1,683
         

Presented on the consolidated statements of

financial position as follows:

       
Current US$ - US$ -
Non-current US$ 1,413 US$ 1,683

 

b)Financial debt

 

 

35 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  
(i)As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company’s short-term and long-term debt consists of the following:

 

   

March 31,

2024

December 31,
2023
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$ 7,495 US$ 14,799
           
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(1).   77,447   83,859
           
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.   89,939   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(1).   49,419   57,855
           
V. Pre-delivery payments financing with JSA International U.S. Holdings, LLC, with maturity date on November 30, 2025, bearing an annual interest of SOFR plus a spread of 300 basis points, along with additional adjustment up to 26 basis points.   20,852   35,983
           
VI. Pre-delivery payments financing with GY Aviation Lease 1714 Co. Limited, with maturity date on November 30, 2025, bearing an annual interest of SOFR plus a spread of 425 basis points, along with additional adjustment up to 26 basis points.   64,495   64,495
           
VII. Pre-delivery payments financing with Incline II B Shannon 18 Limited, with maturity date on May 31, 2025, bearing an annual interest of SOFR plus a spread of 390 basis points.   103,162   107,178
           
VIII. Pre-delivery payments financing with Oriental Leasing 6 Company Limited, with maturity date on May 31, 2026, bearing an annual interest of SOFR plus a spread of 200 basis points, along with additional adjustment up to 26 basis points   72,658   43,129
           
IX. Financing for the acquisition of engines with Tarquin Limited, with maturity on September 7, 19 and 25, 2028, bearing an annual interest of 6.20%.   43,505   44,052
           
X. Financing for the acquisition of engines with NBB-V11218 Lease Partnership, with maturity in September 29, 2028, bearing an annual interest of 6.20%.   8,644   8,821
           
XI. Financing for the acquisition of engines with NBB-V11951 Lease Partnership, with maturity in September 29, 2028, bearing an annual interest of 6.20%.   7,979   8,143
           
XII. Financing for the acquisition of 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 in September and October 2028, bearing an annual interest of 7.16%.   69,610   71,507
           
XIII. Financing for the acquisition of engines with NBB Pintail Co., LTD, with maturity date on November 27, 2028, bearing an annual interest of 6.99%.   20,358   20,540
           
XIV. Transaction costs to be amortized.   (2,926)   (3,158)
           
XV. Accrued interest and other financial cost.   8,859   7,070
      641,496   653,065
  Less: Short-term maturities US$ 259,871 US$ 220,289
  Long-term financial debt US$ 381,625 US$ 432,776

 

TIIE: Mexican interbank rate

SOFR: Secured Overnight Financing Rate

(1) Sustainability adjustment

 

 

36 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

(ii) The following table provides a summary of the Company’s scheduled remaining principal payments of financial debt and accrued interest on March 31, 2024:

 

    Within one year  

April 2025-

March 2026

 

April 2026-

March 2027 

 

 

April 2027-onwards

 

 

Total

Santander/Bancomext 2022   US$ 27,945   US$ 21,474   US$ -   US$ -   US$ 49,419
Programa CEBUR     37,475     29,980     39,973     67,453     174,881
JSA International U.S. Holdings, LLC     -     20,852     -     -     20,852
GY Aviation Lease 1714 Co. Limited     25,907     38,588     -     -     64,495
Incline II B Shannon 18 Limited     90,208     12,954     -     -     103,162
Oriental Leasing 6 Company Limited     57,701     14,957     -     -     72,658
Tarquin Limited     2,276     2,421     2,575     36,233     43,505
Lease Partnership NBB-V11218     737     784     834     6,289     8,644
Lease Partnership NBB-V11951     680     723     770     5,806     7,979
Wilmington Trust SP Services (Dublin) Limited     7,929     8,524     9,163     43,994     69,610
NBB Pintail Co. LTD     758     813     872     17,915     20,358
Financial debt     251,616     152,070     54,187     177,690     635,563
Accrued interest     8,859     -     -     -     8,859
Total   US$ 260,475   US$ 152,070   US$ 54,187   US$ 177,690   US$ 644,422

  

On June 8, 2022, the Company entered into pre-delivery payments financing 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 March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the Company complied with the covenants under the mentioned loan agreement.

The Company signed in April 2022 three pre-delivery payments financing with lessors for the acquisition of aircraft. 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 Incline II B Shannon 18 Limited Trust 3867. These facilities do not include financial covenants or restrictions.

The Company signed in July 2022 a 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.

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, (US$89.9 million, based on an exchange rate of Ps.16.68 to US$1 on March 31, 2024) 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 (US$179.9 million, based on an exchange rate of Ps.16.68 to US$1 on March 31, 2024).

 

37 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

The notes have a five-year maturity annual reduction of Ps.250,000, Ps.500,000, Ps.500,000 and Ps.250,000 (US$15.0 million, US$30.0 million, US$30.0 million and US$15.0 million, based on an exchange rate of Ps.16.68 to US$1 on March 31, 2024) 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, (US$89.9 million, based on an exchange rate of Ps.16.68 to US$1 on March 31, 2024) 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. (US$179.9 million, based on an exchange rate of Ps.16.68 to US$1 on March 31, 2024). With this second issuance, the total amount approved for the program had been reached.

The Trust Notes comply with the Sustainability-Linked Bond Principles 2020, administered by the International Capital Market Association (ICMA). The 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 is to reduce CO2 emissions by 35.42% in 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$5.0 million, US$30.0 million, US$30.0 million and US$25.0 million, based on an exchange rate of Ps.16.68 to US$1 on March 31, 2024) 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 increasing amount of the actual program of up to Ps.5.0 billion (US$299.8 million, based on an exchange rate of Ps.16.68 to US$1 on March 31, 2024). 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$11.2 million, US$45.0 million and US$33.7 million, based on an exchange rate of Ps.16.68 to US$1 on March 31, 2024) 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.

The asset-backed trust note’s structure operates on specific rules and provides 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, retention of funds does not exist if the ratio exceeds 2.5 times. Amortization on the asset-backed trust notes began in July of 2021 for the first issuance, the second issuance began in November of 2023 and the third issuance will begin in October 2026. In addition, early amortization applies if:

 

38 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

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 require to deliver to Concesionaria and will dedicate the use of such cash flow to amortize the principal of the trust notes (“CEBUR”).

As of March 31, 2024, the Company was in compliance with the financial conditions of the asset backed trusted notes.

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 had the following covenant:

i) Joint obligor (Concesionaria) must represent 85% of EBITDA of the holding.

As of December 31, 2022, the Company was not in compliance with the covenant of Sabadell loan agreement. The Company settled this short-term loan on January 5, 2023, as such any potential effects of the non-compliance were solved with the payment. The non-compliance did not trigger any cross-default provisions in other debt instruments or any lease agreement of the Company.

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 March 31, 2024, the facility is not disbursed.

The “Actinver” working capital facility includes certain obligations.

 

Other financial agreements

 

During 2023, the Company entered into several agreements that qualified as failed sale and leaseback transactions. Consequently, these agreements were accounted for as financing transactions. The details of these agreements are presented as follows:

 

1) In September 2023, the Company entered into financing agreements with Tarquin Limited for the acquisition of engines The agreements bear an annual interest rate of 6.20%, and mature in 2028.

 

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. These agreements bear an annual interest of 6.20% and mature in 2028.

 

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. These agreements bear an annual interest rate of 7.16% and mature in 2028.

 

39 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

4) In November 2023, the Company entered into financing agreements with NBB Pintail Co Ltd for the acquisition of engines. These agreements bear an annual interest rate of 6.99% and mature in 2028.

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

As of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, this caption is comprised as follows:

 

 

March 31,

2024

December 31,

2023

Cash in banks US$ 95,006 US$ 117,764
Cash on hand   928   850
Short-term investments   644,378   642,604
Restricted funds held in trust related to debt service reserves   12,016   12,936
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash US$ 752,328 US$ 774,154

 

As of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the Company recorded a portion of advance ticket sales by an amount of US$12,016 and US$12,936, 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 March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, 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
March 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 Terms
Due to:              
Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte, S.A.B. de C.V. (“OMA”) Airport Services Mexico US$ 8,393 US$ 12,881 30 days
Frontier Airlines Inc. (“Frontier”) Code-share USA   1,213   1,918 30 days
MRO Commercial, S.A. (“MRO”) Aircraft maintenance and technical support El Salvador   565   8 30 days
Chevez, Ruiz, Zamarripa y Cía., S.C. Professional fees Mexico   247   620 30 days
A&P International Services, S.A.P.I (“AISG”) Aircraft maintenance Mexico   244   313 30 days
Mijares, Angoitia, Cortés y Fuentes, S.C. Professional fees Mexico   145   105 30 days
      US$ 10,807 US$ 15,845  

 

b)During the three months period ended March 31, 2024, and 2023, the Company had the following transactions with related parties:

 

Related party transactions Country of origin 2024 2023
Expenses:          
Transactions with affiliates          
MRO Commercial, S.A.          
Aircraft maintenance (1) El Salvador US$ 4,652 US$ 6,120
Technical support El Salvador   3   2
Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte, S.A.B. de C.V. (“OMA”)          
Airport services Mexico   2,242   2,662
A&P International Services, S.A.P.I (“AISG”)          
Aircraft and engine maintenance Mexico   730   539
Chevez, Ruiz, Zamarripa y Cía, S.C.          
Professional fees Mexico   21   53
Mijares, Angoitia, Cortés y Fuentes, S.C.          
Professional fees Mexico   56   2
Servprot, S.A. de C.V.          
Security services Mexico   -   58

 

(1) Includes amounts as part of major maintenance.

 

40 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

c)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 March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the account payable was US$1,213 and US$1,918, respectively.

  

d)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.

 

During the three months period ended March 31, 2024, the Company did not have expensed transactions. During the three months period ended March 31, 2023, the Company expensed US$58, for this concept.

 

e)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 March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the Company did not have outstanding balance due to Aeroman.

  

As of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the balances due under the agreement with MRO were US$565 and US$8, respectively.

 

During the three months period ended March 31, 2024, and 2023, the Company incurred expenses in aircraft maintenance and technical support with MRO amounted to US$4,655 and US$6,122, respectively.

 

f)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 March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023 the balances due under the agreement with MACF was US$145 and US$105, respectively.

 

During the three months period ended March 31, 2024, and 2023, the Company recognize expenses in legal services under this agreement amounted to US$56 and US$2, respectively.

 

 

41 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  
g)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 March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the account payable with OMA was US$8,393 and US$12,881, respectively.

 

During the three months period ended March 31, 2024, and 2023, the Company recognized expenses with OMA of US$2,242 and US$2,662, respectively.

 

h)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 March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the account payable with Chevez was US$247 and US$620, respectively.

 

During the three months period and ended March 31, 2024, and 2023 the Company recognized expenses with Chevez of US$21 and US$53, respectively.

 

i)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 March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the account payable with AISG was US$244 and US$313, respectively.

During the three months period ended March 31, 2024, and 2023, the Company recognize expenses in aircraft and engine maintenance amounted to US$730 and US$539, respectively.

 

j)Jetsmart Airlines SpA ("Jetsmart")

 

Jetsmart is a related party because Brian H. Franke and Andrew Broderick serve as members of the Board of Directors of both, the Company and Jetsmart. On March 15, 2024, the Company entered into an agreement to provide pilot professional technical cooperation services with Jetsmart Airlines SpA.

 

As of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the Company did not have outstanding balance due to Jetsmart.

 

k)CleanJoule, Inc. (“CleanJoule”)

 

CleanJoule 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 CleanJoule 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 CleanJoule. CleanJoule is a Company that produces high-performance and cost-effective Sustainable Aviation Fuel from agricultural waste and organic residues. The Company directly purchased common stock of CleanJoule, recognizing 249,124 common stock shares amounting to US$3,114.

 

l)Directors and officers

 

During the three months period ended March 31, 2024, and 2023, the chairman and the independent members of the Company’s board of directors received a net compensation of US$34 and US$135, respectively, and the rest of the directors received a net compensation of US$4 and US$43, respectively.

 

During the three months period ended March 31, 2024, and 2023, all the Company’s senior managers received an aggregate compensation for short-term benefits of US$2,947 and US$2,307, respectively. These amounts were recognized in salaries and benefits in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

 

 

42 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

Inventories

 

An analysis of inventories as of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, is as follows:

 

    March 31, 2024   December 31,2023
Spare parts and accessories of flight equipment   US$ 15,608   US$ 16,117
             

 

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 March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the Company did not record any impairment loss in the value of its inventories.

 

During the three months period ended March 31, 2024, and 2023, the amount of consumption of inventories, recorded as an operating expense as part of maintenance expense was US$5,368 and US$5,193, respectively.

 

Rotable spare parts, furniture and equipment, net

 

a) Acquisitions and disposals

 

For the three months period ended March 31, 2024, and 2023, the Company acquired rotable spare parts, furniture, and equipment paid by an amount of US$138,136 and US$108,701, respectively.

 

Rotable spare parts, furniture and equipment by US$46,886 and US$1,023, were disposed for the three months period ended March 31, 2024, and 2023, respectively. As of March 31, 2024, these amounts included reimbursements of pre-delivery payments for aircraft acquisition of US$46,886 and US$0, respectively.

 

b) Depreciation expense

 

Depreciation expense for the three months period ended March 31, 2024, and 2023 was US$33,799 and US$29,501, 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 March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company did not record any impairment loss.

 

Intangible assets, net

 

a) Acquisitions

 

For the three months period ended March 31, 2024, and 2023, the Company acquired intangible assets by an amount of US$3,656 and US$1,417, respectively.

 

b) Amortization expense

 

Software amortization expense for the three months period ended March 31, 2024, and 2023 was US$1,969 and US$1,728, respectively. These amounts were recognized as part of the depreciation and amortization in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. 

 

Leases

 

As of March 31, 2024, the most significant leases are as follows:

 

 

43 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

Aircraft and engines represent the Company´s most significant lease agreements. On March 31, 2024, the Company leases 133 aircraft (129 as of December 31, 2023) and 20 spare engines (20 as of December 31, 2023) that have maximum terms through 2036. The leases are generally guaranteed by either deposit in cash or letters of credits.

 

Composition of the fleet and spare engines leases (1)

 

Aircraft

Type

Model At March 31,
2024
At December 31, 2023
A319 132 2 3
A320 233 40 39
A320 232 2 1
A320neo 271N 51 51
A321 231 10 10
A321neo 271N 28 25
    133 129

 

 

Engine spare

Type

Model At March 31,
 2024
At December 31, 2023
V2500 V2527M-A5 2 3
V2500 V2527E-A5 5 5
V2500 V2527-A5 6 6
PW1100 PW1127G-JM 6 5
PW1100 PW1133G-JM 1 1
    20 20

 

(1) 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 March 31, 2024.

During the three months period ended March 31, 2024, the Company added five new leased aircraft to its fleet (three A321NEO were acquired through sale and leaseback transactions under the Company’s existing Airbus purchase agreement and two used A320CEO). All the used aircraft were not subject to sale and leaseback transactions. Additionally, the Company extended the lease term of nine A320CEO for an additional period of up to 6 years.

During the year 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 directly incorporated from the lessor's aircraft order book.

 

During 2023, the Company extended the lease term of eight A320CEO and one A321CEO aircraft for an additional period of up to four years.

 

Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company extended the lease term of six spare engines for an additional period of up to 3.5 years.

 

 

44 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

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, 2023 US$ 2,272,163 US$ 29,488 US$ 36,741 US$ 2,338,392
Additions   157,008   -   943   157,951
Extensions   80,695   -   -   80,695
Modifications   (15,278)   -   -   (15,278)
Depreciation on right of use assets   (92,156)   (3,128)   (3,272)   (98,556)
As of March 31, 2024 US$ 2,402,432 US$ 26,360 US$ 34,412 US$ 2,463,204

 

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

 

   March 31, 2024   December 31, 2023
As of January 1st, US$ 2,891,442   US$ 2,708,723
Additions   154,584     404,650
Modifications   65,417     114,759
Disposals   -     (4,378)
Accretion of interest   50,375     194,416
Foreign exchange effect   626     2,346
Payments   (141,219)     (529,074)
Balances at the end of the reporting period US$ 3,021,225   US$ 2,891,442
Current US$ 375,110   US$ 372,697
Non-current US$ 2,646,115   US$ 2,518,745

 

The following are the amounts recognized in profit or loss for the three months period ended March 31, 2024, and 2023:

 

  For the three months period ended
  March 31, 2024   March 31, 2023
Depreciation of right-of-use assets US$ 98,556   US$ 87,722
Interest expense on lease liabilities and aircraft and engine lease return obligation   50,643     52,237
Aircraft and engine variable lease expenses   (3,179)     35,333
Total amount recognized in profit or loss US$ 146,020   US$ 175,292

 

The Company had total cash outflows for leases during the three months period ended March 31, 2024, of US$141,219 (US$127,305 during the three months period ended March 31, 2023).

 

i)Return obligations

The aircraft lease agreements of the Company also require that the aircraft and engines 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 airframe, engine overhaul and limited life parts using certain assumptions including the projected usage of the aircraft and the expected costs of maintenance tasks to be performed.

For the three months period ended March 31, 2024, and 2023, the Company recorded a (benefit) expense from remeasurement of supplemental rent of US$(3,179) and US$35,333, respectively.

 

45 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

ii) Aircraftand engines lease extensions

Certain lease agreements contain extension options, which the Company evaluates exercising once the lease period comes to its end, based on the market conditions at such moment. The lease liabilities corresponding to leases on which it was decided to extend are remeasured for the period negotiated between the Company and the lessor.

For the three months ended March 31, 2024, due to the aircraft, engines and building leases extension agreements, the Company reassessed the right of use assets and lease liabilities, resulting in net increases of US$80,695. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, due to the aircraft, engines and building leases extension agreements, the Company reassessed the right of use assets and lease liabilities and there was no increase to recognize.

Equity 

 

As of March 31, 2024, 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 March 31, 2024, there were no forfeited shares have been included as part of treasury shares.

 

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.

 

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 in the form of the corresponding American Depositary 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.

 

46 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

As of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, 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).

 

The following table shows the calculations of the basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share for the three months period ended March 31, 2024, and 2023:

 

  For the three months period ended March 31,
   2024  2023
Net earnings (loss) for the period US$ 33,238 US$ (70,907)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding (in thousands):        
Basic   1,151,451   1,152,524
Diluted   1,165,977   1,165,049
EPS or LPS        
Basic US$ 0.029 US$ (0.062)
Diluted US$ 0.029 US$ (0.061)

 

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 March 31,

  2024 2023
Current year income tax (expense) benefit US$ (5,202) US$ 34,105
Deferred income tax expense   (9,042)   (9,156)
Total income tax (expense) benefit US$ (14,244) US$ 24,949

 

The Company’s effective tax rate during the three months period ended March 31, 2024, and 2023 was 30% and 26% respectively. 

 

As of March 31, 2024, the Company had tax proceedings regarding uncertain tax positions by an approximately amount of US$77 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.

 

47 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

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 US$ 226,157
2025   711,112
2026   1,408,871
2027   1,123,329
2028 and thereafter   3,065,774
  US$ 6,535,243

 

All aircraft acquired by the Company through the Airbus purchase agreement through March 31, 2024, 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 US$ 394,000
2025   767,500
2026   112,500
  US$ 1,274,000

 

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 US$ 8,354
2025   54,681
2026   84,834
2027   85,128
2028 and thereafter   788,242
  US$ 1,021,239

 

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.

 

48 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

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 March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, these possible contingencies amount to a total of US$32.3 million (US$2.4 million related to legal matters, US$6.3 million related to labor matters and US$23.6 million related to other contributions matters) and US$29.4 million (US$2.8 million related to legal matters, US$6.1 million related to labor matters and US$20.5 million related to other contributions matters), 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 March 31,
  2024 2023
Operating revenues:        
Domestic (Mexico) US$ 484,440 US$ 466,626
International:        
United States of America   227,680   206,337
Central America and South America   55,742   58,132
Total operating revenues US$ 767,862 US$ 731,095

 

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 April 22, 2024, no relevant subsequent events that could significantly impact the condensed consolidated interim financial statements were identified.

 

49 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

 

d

 

9Volaris Reports Financial Results for the

First Quarter 2024: Net Income of USD $33 million

 

 

Mexico City, Mexico, April 22, 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 first quarter 20241.

 

First Quarter 2024 Highlights

(All figures are reported in U.S. dollars and compared to 1Q 2023 unless otherwise noted)

<Net income of $33 million. Earnings per ADS of $0.29 cents.
<Total operating revenues of $768 million, a 5.1% increase.
<Total revenue per available seat mile (TRASM) increased 21% to $9.34 cents.
<Available seat miles (ASMs) decreased by 13% to 8.2 billion.
<Total operating expenses of $664 million, representing 86% of total operating revenue.
<Total operating expenses per available seat mile (CASM) remained relatively flat at $8.08 cents.
<Average economic fuel cost decreased 13% to $3.01 per gallon.
<CASM ex-fuel increased 11% to $5.16 cents.
<EBITDAR of $235 million, a 91% increase.
<EBITDAR margin was 30.6%, an increase of 14 percentage points.
<Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and short-term investments totaled $768 million, representing 23% of the last twelve months’ total operating revenue.
<Net debt-to-LTM EBITDAR2 ratio decreased to 3.1x, compared to 3.8x in 2023.

 

Enrique Beltranena, President & Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are pleased with our business performance as our Volaris team delivered strong first quarter 2024 results. Over the last six months, our primary focus has been directing operations to enhance our customer service and continuing our emphasis on obsessive cost control.

Despite the ongoing industry challenges, we continue to execute well and remain focused on delivering shareholder value. The company produced strong results that exceeded expectations. We generated a remarkable increase in TRASM and ancillaries while costs remained controlled. Moreover, Volaris achieved net profitability in the first quarter, posting a net income of $33 million dollars. This marks a significant achievement, as historically, due to seasonality, our first quarters have resulted in net losses; the last time we recorded a net profit in the first quarter was in 2019.

Looking forward, booking curves remain solid. As we execute our strategy, we prioritize profitability when allocating capacity and are cautiously optimistic about achieving results in line with our updated guidance.”

 

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

2 Includes short-term investments.

 

 

 

50 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

First Quarter 2024 Consolidated Financial and Operating Highlights

(All figures are reported in U.S. dollars and compared to 1Q 2023 unless otherwise noted)

 

  First Quarter
Consolidated Financial Highlights 2024 2023 Var.
Total operating revenue (millions) 768 731 5.1%
TRASM (cents) 9.34 7.71 21.3%
ASMs (millions, scheduled & charter) 8,217 9,488 (13.4%)
Load Factor (scheduled, RPMs/ASMs) 87.0% 85.0% 1.9 pp
Passengers (thousands, scheduled & charter) 6,924 8,186 (15.4%)
Fleet (at the end of the period) 134 120 14
Total operating expenses (millions) 664 762 (12.9%)
CASM (cents) 8.08 8.03 0.6%
CASM ex fuel (cents) 5.16 4.65 11.0%
Adjusted CASM ex fuel (cents)3 5.32 4.28 24.3%
Operating income (loss) (EBIT) (millions) 104 (31) N/A
% EBIT Margin 13.5% (4.3%) 17.8 pp
Net income (loss) (millions) 33 (71) N/A
% Net income (loss) margin 4.3% (9.7%) 14.0 pp
EBITDAR (millions) 235 123 91.1%
% EBITDAR Margin 30.6% 16.8% 13.7 pp
Net debt-to-LTM EBITDAR4 3.1x 3.8x -0.7x

 

Reconciliation of CASM to Adjusted CASM ex-fuel:

 

  First Quarter
Reconciliation of CASM 2024 2023 Var.
CASM (cents) 8.08 8.03 0.6%
Fuel expense (2.92) (3.38) (13.6%)
CASM ex fuel 5.16 4.65 11.0%
Aircraft and engine variable lease expenses5 0.04 (0.37) N/A
Sale and lease back gains 0.12 0.00 N/A
Adjusted CASM ex fuel 5.32 4.28 24.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

3 Excludes fuel expense, aircraft and engine variable lease expenses and sale and lease-back gains.
4 Includes short-term investments.

5 Aircraft redeliveries.

 

51 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

First Quarter 2024

(All figures are reported in U.S. dollars and compared to 1Q 2023 unless otherwise noted)

 

Total operating revenue in the quarter was $768 million, a 5.1% increase driven by solid demand and an improvement in total revenue per passenger.

 

Booked passengers amounted to 6.9 million a decrease of 15%. Mexican domestic booked passengers decreased 23%, while international booked passengers increased 11%.

 

Total capacity, in terms of available seat miles (ASMs) decreased 13% to 8.2 billion due to the accelerated Pratt & Whitney engine inspections and the resulting aircraft groundings.

 

The load factor for the quarter reached 87.0%, representing an increase of 1.9 percentage points.

 

TRASM increased 21% to $9.34 cents, and total operating revenue per passenger stood at $111, representing a 24% increase.

 

The average base fare was $54, a 15% increase. The total ancillary revenue per passenger was $57, a 35% increase. Ancillary revenue represented 51% of total operating revenue, an increase of 4.1 percentage points.

 

Total operating expenses were $664 million, representing 86% of total operating revenue.

 

CASM totaled $8.08 cents and remained relatively flat year over year.

 

The average economic fuel cost decreased 13% to $3.01 per gallon.

 

CASM ex-fuel increased 11% to $5.16 cents. This increase was mainly caused by the aircraft-on-ground (AOG) due to Pratt and Whitney's engine preventive accelerated inspections and the effect of a larger proportion of international capacity with higher landing and navigation fees. This pressure was partially offset by the remeasurement of previously booked redelivery accruals, which reflect the lease extensions from 2024 to 2026.

 

Comprehensive financing result represented an expense of $57 million, compared to $65 million in the same period of 2023. For the period, the average exchange rate was Ps.17.00 per U.S. dollar, a 9.1% appreciation. At the end of the first quarter, the exchange rate stood at Ps.16.68 per U.S. dollar.

 

Income tax expense for the quarter was $14 million, compared to an income tax benefit of $25 million registered in the same period of 2023.

 

Net income in the quarter was $33 million, with an earnings per ADS of $0.29 cents.

 

52 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

 

EBITDAR for the quarter was $235 million, an increase of 91%, primarily attributable to higher unit revenues and lower fuel prices, while EBITDAR margin stood at 30.6%, an increase of 14 percentage points.

 

Balance Sheet, Liquidity and Capital Allocation

 

As of March 31, 2024, cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments were $768 million, representing 23% of the last twelve months total operating revenue.

 

Net cash flow provided by operating activities was $245 million. Net cash flow used in investing and financing activities was $97 million and $171 million, respectively.

 

The financial debt amounted to $642 million, while total lease liabilities stood at $3,021 million, resulting in a net debt of $2,8956 million.

 

Net debt-to-LTM EBITDAR6 ratio stood at 3.1x, compared to 3.3x in the previous quarter and 3.8x in the same period of 2023.

 

2024 Guidance

 

For the second quarter of 2024, the Company expects:

 

  2Q’24 2Q’23 (1)
2Q’24 Guidance    
ASM growth (YoY) ~ -18% +18.1%
TRASM $9.1 to $9.2 cents $7.92 cents
CASM ex fuel $5.5 to $5.6 cents $4.82 cents
EBITDAR margin 31% to 33% 27.1%
Average USD/MXN rate Ps.17.30 to 17.50 Ps.17.72
Average U.S. Gulf Coast jet fuel price $2.60 to $2.70 $2.29

(1) For convenience purposes, actual reported figures for 2Q'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 32% to 34% 25.2%
CAPEX (3) $400 million $252 million
Average USD/MXN rate Ps.17.30 to 17.50 Ps.17.76
Average U.S. Gulf Coast jet fuel price $2.60 to $2.70 $2.71

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

(3) CAPEX net of financed fleet predelivery payments.

 

 

 

 

6 Includes short-term investments.

 

53 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

The second 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.

 

Fleet

During the first quarter, Volaris added two A320ceo and three A321neo aircraft to its fleet, bringing the total number of aircraft to 134. At the end of the quarter, Volaris’ fleet had an average age of 5.9 years and an average seating capacity of 197 passengers per aircraft. Of the total fleet, 59% of the aircraft are New Engine Option (NEO) models.

 

  First Quarter Fourth Quarter
Total Fleet 2024 2023 Var. 2023 Var.
CEO          
A319 3 3 - 3 -
A320 42 40 2 40 2
A321 10 10 - 10 -
NEO          
A320 51 50 1 51 -
A321 28 17 11 25 3
Total aircraft at the end of the period 134 120 14 129 5
             

 

 

 

54 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

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.

 

Investor Relations Contact

Ricardo Martínez / ir@volaris.com

 

Media Contact

Israel Álvarez / ialvarez@gcya.net

 

 

Conference Call Details

 

Date: Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Time: 9:00 am Mexico City / 11:00 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.

 

 

 

 

55 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

 

 

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 198 and its fleet from 4 to 134 aircraft. Volaris offers more than 450 daily flight segments on routes that connect 44 cities in Mexico and 29 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 outlook, the expectation of receiving certain compensation in connection with the GTF engine removals, and the anticipated execution of its business plan and focus on its 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-IFRS 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.

 

 

 

56 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

 

 

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 March 31, 2024 Three months ended March 31, 2023 Variance
Total operating revenues (millions) 768 731 5.1%
Total operating expenses (millions) 664 762 (12.9%)
EBIT (millions) 104 (31) N/A
EBIT margin 13.5% (4.3%) 17.8 pp
Depreciation and amortization (millions) 134 119 12.6%
Aircraft and engine variable lease expenses (millions) (3) 35 N/A
Net income (loss) (millions) 33 (71) N/A
Net income (loss) margin 4.3% (9.7%) 14.0 pp
Earnings (loss) per share (1):      
Basic 0.03 (0.06) N/A
Diluted 0.03 (0.06) N/A
Earnings (loss) per ADS*:      
Basic 0.29 (0.62) N/A
Diluted 0.29 (0.61) N/A
Weighted average shares outstanding:      
Basic 1,151,450,983 1,152,524,284 (0.1%)
Diluted 1,165,976,677 1,165,048,915 0.1%
Financial Indicators      
Total operating revenue per ASM (TRASM) (cents) (2) 9.34 7.71 21.3%
Average base fare per passenger 54 47 14.7%
Total ancillary revenue per passenger (3) 57 42 34.9%
Total operating revenue per passenger 111 89 24.2%
Operating expenses per ASM (CASM) (cents) (2) 8.08 8.03 0.6%
CASM ex fuel (cents) (2) 5.16 4.65 11.0%
Adjusted CASM ex fuel (cents) (2) (4) 5.32 4.28 24.3%
Operating Indicators      
Available seat miles (ASMs) (millions) (2) 8,217 9,488 (13.4%)
     Domestic 4,768 6,537 (27.1%)
     International 3,449 2,951 16.9%
Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) (millions) (2) 7,146 8,067 (11.4%)
     Domestic 4,329 5,546 (21.9%)
     International 2,817 2,521 11.8%
Load factor (5) 87.0% 85.0% 1.9 pp
     Domestic 90.8% 84.8% 5.9 pp
     International 81.7% 85.4% (3.7 pp)
Booked passengers (thousands) (2) 6,924 8,186 (15.4%)
     Domestic 4,985 6,440 (22.6%)
     International 1,939 1,746 11.0%
Departures (2) 40,428 50,191 (19.5%)
Block hours (2) 109,363 130,549 (16.2%)
Aircraft at end of period 134 120 14
Average aircraft utilization (block hours) 12.73 13.52 (5.8%)
Fuel gallons accrued (millions) 79.2 92.2 (14.1%)
Average economic fuel cost per gallon (6) 3.01 3.46 (12.9%)
Average exchange rate 17.00 18.70 (9.1%)
Exchange rate at the end of the period 16.68 18.11 (7.9%)
*Each ADS represents ten CPOs and each CPO represents a financial interest in one Series A share
(1) 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.

(2) Includes schedule and charter.
(3) Includes “Other passenger revenues” and “Non-passenger revenues”.
(4) Excludes fuel expense, aircraft and engine variable lease expenses and sale and lease-back gains.

(5) Includes schedule.
(6) Excludes Non-creditable VAT.

 

57 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

 

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 March 31, 2024 Three months ended March 31, 2023 Variance
Operating revenues:      
 Passenger revenues 732 701 4.4%
   Fare revenues 375 387 (3.1%)
   Other passenger revenues 357 314 13.7%
       
 Non-passenger revenues 36 30 20.0%
   Cargo 5 4 25.0%
   Other non-passenger revenues 31 26 19.2%
       
Total operating revenues 768 731 5.1%
       
Other operating income (45) - N/A
Fuel expense 240 321 (25.2%)
Aircraft and engine variable lease expenses (3) 35 N/A
Salaries and benefits 102 91 12.1%
Landing, take-off and navigation expenses 127 110 15.5%
Sales, marketing and distribution expenses 45 35 28.6%
Maintenance expenses 37 26 42.3%
Depreciation and amortization 35 31 12.9%
Depreciation of right of use assets 99 88 12.5%
Other operating expenses 27 25 8.0%
Operating expenses 664 762 (12.9%)
       
Operating income (loss) 104 (31) N/A
       
Finance income 12 7 71.4%
Finance cost (62) (58) 6.9%
Exchange loss, net (7) (14) (50.0%)
Comprehensive financing result (57) (65) (12.3%)
       
Income (loss) before income tax 47 (96) N/A
Income tax (expense) benefit (14) 25 N/A
Net income (loss) 33 (71) N/A
       

 

 

 

58 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

 

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 March 31, 2024 Three months ended March 31, 2023 Variance
       
Other passenger revenues 357 314 13.7%
Non-passenger revenues 36 30 20.0%
Total ancillary revenues 393 344 14.2%
       
Booked passengers (thousands) (1) 6,924 8,186 (15.4%)
       
Total ancillary revenue per passenger 57 42 34.9%
       
(1) Includes schedule and charter.

 

  

 

59 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

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 March 31, 2024 Unaudited As of December 31, 2023
Audited
Assets    
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 752 774
Short-term investments 16 15

Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and

short-term investments (1)

768  -
Accounts receivable, net 295 251
Inventories 16 16
Guarantee deposits 150 148
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 48 44
Total current assets 1,277 1,248
Right of use assets 2,463 2,338
Rotable spare parts, furniture and equipment, net 865 805
Intangible assets, net 18 16
Derivatives financial instruments 1 2
Deferred income taxes 231 236
Guarantee deposits 483 462
Other long-term assets 43 39
Total non-current assets 4,104 3,898
Total assets 5,381 5,146
Liabilities and equity    
Unearned transportation revenue 394 343
Accounts payable 179 250
Accrued liabilities 205 163
Other taxes and fees payable 304 262
Income taxes payable 14 8
Financial debt 260 220
Lease liabilities 375 373
Other liabilities 13 2
Total short-term liabilities 1,744 1,621
Financial debt 382 433
Accrued liabilities 12 14
Employee benefits 15 15
Deferred income taxes 16 16
Lease liabilities 2,646 2,518
Other liabilities 289 286
Total long-term liabilities 3,360 3,282
Total liabilities 5,104 4,903
Equity    
Capital stock 248 248
Treasury shares (12) (12)
Contributions for future capital increases  -  -
Legal reserve 17 17
Additional paid-in capital 283 282
Accumulated deficit (115) (148)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (144) (144)
Total equity 277 243
Total liabilities and equity 5,381 5,146
(1) Non-GAAP measure.

 

60 
VLRSConsolidated

Ticker: VLRS

Quarter: 1 Year: 2024
  

 

 

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 March 31, 2024 Three months ended March 31, 2023
     
Net cash flow provided by operating activities 245 208
Net cash flow used in investing activities (97) (109)
Net cash flow used in financing activities* (171) (110)
Decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (23) (11)
Net foreign exchange differences 1 3
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 774 712
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period 752 704
*Includes aircraft rental payments of $141 million and $127 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, and 2023, respectively.

 

61