Volaris (the "Company") (NYSE: VLRS and BMV: VOLAR), the ultra-low-cost airline serving Mexico, the United States, Central and South America reports its January 2022 preliminary traffic results. Considering the consistent recovery in its markets, Volaris will no longer include comparisons to 2019 performance.
In January, Volaris' capacity (measured in ASMs) increased 32.2% YoY, while demand (measured in RPMs) was up a strong 45.4% YoY. This drove a 7.4 pp YoY increase in load factor to 81.3%. In the month, Volaris transported 2.3 million passengers, representing a 48.7% increase YoY. While demand remained strong in the month, in response to the Omicron variant, Volaris reduced its ASMs 1.5% as compared to December 2021.
Considering January's reported figures and the capacity currently on sale for February and March, consolidated ASMs for the first quarter of 2022 are expected to remain flat as compared to the fourth quarter of 2021, implying around 50% ASM growth versus the first quarter of 2021. We believe that this closely matches the demand trends that we are seeing in our markets.
"Volaris started the year with solid traffic results, stimulating demand in our core leisure and VFR markets while carefully managing capacity in response to Omicron. Equally important, we fulfilled our commitment to Volaris' customers and maintained high schedule reliability despite industry-wide operational issues triggered by the Omicron variant."
- Volaris' President and CEO Enrique Beltranena
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 185 and its fleet from 4 to 102 aircraft. Volaris offers more than 510 daily flight segments on routes that connect 43 cities in Mexico and 27 cities in the United States, Central and South America with one of the youngest fleet 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 eleven consecutive years.