Viva Aerobus, Volaris Dominate Domestic and International Markets

Viva Aerobus and Volaris reported year over year increases in passenger traffic in March 2023, as both airlines continue to outperform in national and international markets with new routes and more demand. 

The airlines reported larger passenger demand and load factors in their preliminary traffic results for the month. Both airlines claim to have some of the youngest fleets in Latin America. Viva Aerobus operates 42 Airbus A320 and 28 Airbus A321, while Volaris operates 113 Airbus aircraft of the A319, A320, A320neo and A321 families. 

Volaris, which measures its capacity in available seat miles (ASM), reports increases of 17.1% in March 2023 in comparison to March 2022. The airline also highlights that demand in revenue passenger miles (RPM) grew 15.7%. In March 2023, Volaris transported 2.8 million passengers, which represents a 12.6% increase over March 2022. The airline explains that demand in the domestic and international market increased by 8.7% and 35.4%, respectively.

“In general, traffic figures were healthy in March, with strong cross-border demand from the US and Central America compensating for the weakness of last-minute demand on our national routes. This also confirms the strategic importance of our expansion in Central America that has allowed Volaris to grow profitably in the US despite the limitations associated with Mexico's Category 2 status," says Enrique Beltranena, Executive President and CEO, Volaris, via a press release.

Viva Aerobus transported 1.91 million passengers in March 2023, which represents a 21.4% increase in comparison to March 2022. The airline attributed its growth to an increase of 23.7% and 4.3% in domestic and international traffic, respectively. Viva Aerobus also highlights that its load factor reached 86.2% in March 2023, a decrease in comparison to its previous 86.8% from the same month in 2022. The airline reports that total capacity measured in ASMs grew by 21.6% in comparison to March 2022 and that the airline grew 23.6% in the national market and 13.5% in the international market. 

“The demand environment remains strong, with traffic and capacity in March growing at a healthy pace in the national and international market. We continue to focus on strengthening our network and connectivity by growing in attractive markets as is the case of our recently announced Cancun-Quito route,” says Juan Carlos Zuazua, General Director, Viva Aerobus via a press release. 

Volaris added that during 1Q23, the average cost of fuel was US$3.45 per gallon, a 11.3% increase over 1Q22 but a 7% decrease in comparison to 4Q22. Viva Aerobus did not attach any references regarding the cost of fuel in its monthly report.