Even amid the new surge in COVID cases, Mexican low-cost carriers Viva Aerobus and Volaris, continue to maintain sustained growth and project full recovery to 2019 levels for this year.
Viva Aerobus
In January, the company mobilized 1.45 million passengers, representing an increase of 73.5% compared to the same period in 2021. The occupancy factor was 79.1%, an increase of 6.8 percentage points compared to the same month of the previous year.
In the domestic segment, 1.27 million passengers were mobilized, 67% more than in January 2021 and with an occupancy factor of 81.1%. On the other hand, international traffic was 185 thousand passengers, an increase of 136.7% over the same period of the previous year and with an occupancy factor of 71.4%.
In January 2022, Viva Aerobus demand measured in RPMs (revenue per passenger mile) in the domestic and international markets increased 63.4% and 181.7% respectively. In ASMs (seats per available mile) capacity increased 61.9% compared to pre-pandemic levels.
«We continue to increase our offerings to meet growing passenger preference for our low fares, point-to-point flights, new aircraft, and reliability. As a result, in just these first few weeks of 2022, we have already released three new routes for sale. Mexico City – Nuevo Laredo, Mexico City – Medellin, and Cancun – Medellin» said Juan Carlos Zuazua, CEO of Viva Aerobus.
Volaris
In January, capacity at ASM increased 32.2% compared to the same period in 2021, demand at RPM grew 45.4% compared to the previous year and the occupancy factor stood at 81.3%.
During the first month of the year, Volaris mobilized 2.3 million passengers, representing a growth of 48.7% compared to January 2021. Demand remained stable in January although, in response to the Omicron variant, the company reduced its ASMs by 1.5% compared to December last year.
«Volaris started the year with solid traffic results, stimulating demand in our core leisure and VFR markets. At the same time we are carefully managing capacity in response to Omicron,» said Enrique Beltrarena, Volaris President and Chief Executive Officer.
