Volaris Explained

Airline:	Volaris
Traded As:
Fleet Size:	129
Destinations:	69^[1]
Iata:	Y4
Icao:	VOI
Callsign:	VOLARIS
Parent:	Vuela Compañia de Aviación
Revenue:	US$3,259 million (2023)
Net Income:	US$223 million (2023)^[2]
Num Employees:	7,198 (2023)
Headquarters:	Santa Fe, Álvaro Obregón, Mexico City, Mexico
Frequent Flyer:	VClub
Aoc:	Z5XF131F^[3]

Volaris (legally Concesionaria Vuela Compañía de Aviación S.A.B. de C.V.) is a Mexican low-cost airline based in Santa Fe, Álvaro Obregón, Mexico City with its operating bases in Cancún, Culiacán, Guadalajara, León/Del Bajío, Mexicali, Mexico City, Monterrey, and Tijuana. It is Mexico's largest airline by transported passengers^[4] and serves domestic and international destinations within the Americas. It is the leading airline in the Mexican domestic airline market with a market share of 42%.^[5]

History

The pre-operations phase, the founding of the legal entities and setting up of the required infrastructure, started in August 2005 under the name Vuela Airlines. The idea for the airline was formed from the proposed "Vuelamex" project.^[6] Major initial shareholders of the company were Grupo Televisa (the world's biggest Spanish-language media conglomerate), Inbursa (an insurance company owned by multi-billionaire Carlos Slim), TACA Airlines and the Discovery Americas Fund. Each of these partners invested 25% of the initial cost of activities, or 100 million USD.^[6]

In July 2010,^[7] it was announced that Televisa and Inbursa had sold their stake in Volaris leaving the ownership of Volaris as follows: TACA Airlines with Roberto and Maria Cristina Kriete (50%), Investment fund Discovery Americas (over 25%) and Indigo Partners: Fund led by former America West CEO Bill Franke.

Ticket sales started in January 2006. Following the delivery of the airline's first aircraft, the first non-commercial flight was operated in February 2006. Scheduled revenue flights were launched on March 13, 2006, with the inaugural flight being between Toluca to Tijuana.

Volaris began service to Mexico City in September 2010 after absorbing flight routes from two defunct Mexican airlines, Aerocalifornia and Mexicana. In March 2011, the airline announced that its hub in Toluca would move to Guadalajara.

In June 2012, the airline launched a frequent flyer program called VClub.^[8] It is the membership program that provides special fares, offers, last minute travel deals and other perks. Customers can save up to 40% using the VClub membership. In June 2012, PayPal became a payment alternative for the airline, enabling customers to purchase tickets directly from the airline's website.^[9] In September 2012, Volaris announced a codeshare partnership with a German airline, Condor. Passengers of Condor are able to fly to more international destinations.^[10]

On March 13, 2013, the airline celebrated its seventh anniversary, offering passengers 70% off all flights, it has done this every year since then.^[11] Volaris announced the creation of a subsidiary, Volaris Costa Rica, in March 2016.^{[12] [13]} The subsidiary, based at Juan Santamaría International Airport in the Costa Rican capital of San José, started operations in November 2016.^[14]

As of 2022, Volaris has faced multiple class-action lawsuits due to failure to properly refund flights canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^{[15] [16]}

International operations

In November 2008, Volaris announced a codeshare agreement with U.S.-based low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines. In April 2009, Volaris announced the start of U.S.-bound flights out of Toluca and Guadalajara (initially to Los Angeles and Oakland) to feed into the hubs of Southwest Airlines. After Mexicana de Aviación's shutdown, Volaris took over many of Mexicana's international destinations and flights from its focus city, Guadalajara. The airline began using Guadalajara International Airport as an American gateway hub in late 2011.

In February 2013, Volaris and Southwest stopped codesharing. Southwest decided to focus more on the Mexican market with AirTran Airways, instead of codesharing with Volaris.^{[17] [18]} In January 2018, Volaris announced a codeshare agreement with American low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines.

Corporate affairs

Business trends

The key trends for Volaris are (as of the financial year ending 31 December):^{[19] [20]}

	Revenue (US$ m)	Net income (US$ m)	Number of employees	Number of passengers (m)	Passenger load factor (%)	Number of routes	Fleet size	References
2013	994	20	2,692	8.9	82.6	80	44	^[21]
2014	954	41	2,805	9.8	82.2	130	50	^[22]
2015	1,057	143	3,304	11.9	82.3	143	56	^[23]
2016	1,138	170	4,550	15.0	85.8	164	69	^[24] ^[25]
2017	1,259	−30	4,916	16.4	84.4	174	71	^[26]
2018	1,387	−35	4,600	18.4	84.5	187	77	^[27]
2019	1,844	140	4,950	21.9	85.9	190	82	^[28]
2020	1,111	−191	4,846	14.7	79.9	209	86	^[29]
2021	2,170	106	6,714	24.4	84.7	183	101	^[30]
2022	2,847	−80.2	7,364	31.0	85.6	197	117	^[31]
2023	3,259	7.8	7,198	33.5	86.0	211	129	^[32] ^[33]

Headquarters

The airline is headquartered in Santa Fe, Álvaro Obregón, Mexico City.^[34] It formerly had its headquarters on the first floor of Prolongación Paseo de la Reforma 490 in Peña Blanca, Santa Fe.^[35]

Services

Volaris cabins are configured in a single class, high density layout.

Volaris does not provide complimentary meals or drinks on its flights. Passengers may purchase items on board from the "Entre nubes" buy on board program.^[36] Onboard sales are an important part of the airline's ancillary revenue. Items such as snacks, pillows, blankets and Volaris-branded items are sold on board.^[37] Volaris' monthly inflight magazine is called "V de Volaris".^[38]

The airline had previously provided in-flight entertainment (IFE) in most aircraft, utilizing drop-down screens on its Airbus aircraft. By 2019, all use of IFE had been discontinued.^[39]

Frequent flyer program

VClub is Volaris' frequent flyer program. It gives members exclusive deals on flights, baggage and packages. The airline offers individual and group memberships, with the option to pay monthly or annually. Volaris offers VPass, similar to Spirit's "$9 Fare Club". It offers a set subscription price, and charges customers only for taxes and additional services.^[40] Customers can book codeshare flights and earn points through fellow ultra-low-cost carrier, Frontier Airlines.^[41]

Corporate identity

Trivia

• Two Volaris safety videos were made: one featured actress Claudia Lizaldi^[42] while one featured young children demonstrating the safety procedures.^[43] As of 2018, both videos have been retired.
• Every new plane has a person's name on it, for example, one plane may have "Samuel" written on it, while another plane may have "Luisa" written on it. Recently, some planes have been named after families, e.g. ""Los Capistrán", or after new countries they begin service to, e.g. "Guatemala".

Brand image

The Volaris logo, since its launch in 2005, has been a colorful, pixelated star against a black background.^[44] It represents the north star, Polaris, after which the airline's name is derived from.^[45]

Advertising slogans

Volaris has used several slogans over the years:

• 2005–2008 – "Lo quieres, lo tienes" (You want it, you got it.)^{[46] [47]}
• 2008–2012 – "Vive viajando" (Live travelling)^[48]
• 2013–2017 – "Tu decides" (You decide). Launched after the introduction of the "clean fare", which no longer included the cost of food, baggage, or seat selection in the airline's ticket prices.^[49]
• 2015 – "Queremos que todo el mundo vuele" (We want the whole world to fly)^[50]
• 2015–present – "Precios que te hacen viajar" (Prices that make you travel)^[51]
• 2016 – "Avión a precio de camión" (The plane at the price of a bus)^[52]
• November 2018 – present – "Don't just fly, vuela"^[53]

Destinations

Volaris operates scheduled flights to Mexico and elsewhere in the Americas from its hubs at Guadalajara International Airport in Guadalajara, Benito Juárez International Airport in Mexico City, and Tijuana International Airport in Tijuana. Focus cities include Cancún International Airport in Cancún, Bajío International Airport in León, and Monterrey International Airport in Monterrey.

Operating bases

Volaris operates crew bases at the following airports:^[54]

• Cancún
• Culiacán
  • Guadalajara León/Del Bajío
• Mexico City
• Monterrey
• Morelia
• Tijuana

Codeshare agreements

• Frontier Airlines^[55]
• Iberia (begins 2 September 2024)^[56]

Interline agreements

• Condor^{[57] [58]}

Fleet

Current fleet

, Volaris (Mexico edition) operates the following aircraft:^[59]

Volaris fleet

Aircraft	In service	Orders	Passengers	Notes
Airbus A319-100	1	-	144^[60]
Airbus A320-200	42	-	174^[61]
			179^[62]
			180^[63]
Airbus A320neo	46	25^[64]	186^[65]
Airbus A321-200	10	-	220^[66]
Airbus A321neo	30	118	230^[67]
			239^[68]
Total	129	143

Fleet development

• Volaris became the first North American operator of the Airbus A320neo aircraft in September 2016.^[69]
• In November 2017 during the Dubai Airshow, Indigo Partners announced an order for 430 aircraft of the Airbus A320neo family of which 80 will be for Volaris as follows: 46 Airbus A320neo aircraft and 34 Airbus A321neo aircraft.^[70]
• In November 2021 during the Dubai Airshow, Volaris announced an order for 39 Airbus A321neo. An existing order for 20 Airbus A320neo aircraft was converted into A321neo.^[71]
• On June 20, 2023, during the Paris Air Show, Volaris announced an order for 25 Airbus A321neo aircraft.

See also

• List of airlines of Mexico
• List of low-cost airlines

Notes and References

1. Web site: Volaris on ch-aviation . 2023-11-09 . ch-aviation . en.
2. Web site: Quarterly Reports . es . Volaris . July 4, 2024 .
3. Web site: Volaris Air Operators Certificate. Federal Aviation Administration. 25 August 2018.
4. Web site: Mexico Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport Airline Statistics Summary. 2024-07-19.
5. Web site: Aeromexico leverages a unique position in Mexico's aviation market . 2023-09-26 . CAPA - Centre for Aviation . en.
6. Web site: LIST OF POSSIBLE LCCs (PRELIMINARY COMPILATION).
7. Web site: Indigo Partners buys stake in Mexico's Volaris. Flightglobal.com. 2010-07-19. 2013-05-12.
8. Web site: Sala de prensa. volaris.mx. 2013-05-12.
9. Web site: Media Center. volaris.mx. 2013-05-12.
10. News: Press Release – Condor and the Mexican airline Volaris enter into partnership. 12 November 2012. 17 September 2012.
11. News: 2018-11-02. Volaris celebrates 10-year anniversary with discounts. Andrea. Leinfelder. San Antonio Express-News. 11 March 2016.
12. News: Volaris sets up Costa Rican unit; eyes 2H launch. ch-aviation. 18 March 2016. 6 December 2016.
13. News: Los precios para volar entre Centroamérica serán los más bajos. La República. 15 March 2016. 6 December 2016. Rodríguez, Raquel. es. The fares to fly in Central America will be the lowest.
14. News: Volaris Costa Rica commences operations. ch-aviation. 2 December 2016. 6 December 2016.
15. Web site: Cohen . Steven . Volaris Class Action Lawsuit Alleges Denied COVID-19 Refunds . topclassactions.com . 13 April 2020 . 21 October 2022.
16. Web site: Samantha Levey v. Volaris . govinfo.gov . March 29, 2021 . 116 . USCOURTS.
17. Web site: Partnership Update . 2023-04-04 . www.southwest.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20130507120019/http://www.southwest.com/mexico/ . May 7, 2013.
18. Web site: Southwest and Volaris to end partnership – 2/7/2013. Flight Global. 2013-02-07. 2014-02-10.
19. Web site: Annual reports . 2024-07-22 . Volaris IR . en-US.
20. Web site: Quarterly results . July 4, 2024 . Volaris.
21. Web site: Volaris Annual Report 2013 . November 7, 2023 . Volaris.
22. Web site: Volaris Annual Report 2014 . November 7, 2023 . Volaris.
23. Web site: Volaris Annual Report 2015 . November 7, 2023 . Volaris.
24. Web site: Volaris Annual Report 2016 . November 6, 2023 . Volaris.
25. Web site: Volaris Form 6-K . November 7, 2023 . Volaris.
26. Web site: Volaris Annual Report 2017 . November 6, 2023 . Volaris.
27. Web site: Volaris Annual Report 2018 . November 6, 2023 . Volaris.
28. Web site: Volaris Annual Report 2019 . November 6, 2023 . Volaris.
29. Web site: Volaris Annual Report 2020 . November 6, 2023 . Volaris.
30. Web site: Volaris Annual Report 2021 . November 6, 2023 . Volaris.
31. Web site: Volaris 2022 Annual Report . November 5, 2023 . Volaris.
32. Web site: Volaris Annual Report / 20-F 2023 . 2024-07-22 . www.sec.gov . en.
33. Web site: February 26, 2024 . Volaris FY2023 Earnings Release . Volaris.
34. "Information about Volaris ." Volaris. Retrieved in April 9, 2016. "Antonio Dovalí Jaime, No. 70, Torre B, Piso 13, Colonia Zedec Santa Fe, Delegación Álvaro Obregón, C.P. 01210, México, Distrito Federal,"
35. "Contáctanos ." Volaris. Retrieved on December 4, 2010. "Dirección de oficinas Volaris – Prolongación Paseo de la Reforma 490 piso 1 Col. Santa Fe Peña Blanca México DF, Delegación Álvaro Obregón C.P. 01210"
36. Web site: Entre Nubes: El mejor sabor en el aire. Volaris.
37. Web site: Opcionales para tu viaje: Menú a bordo. Volaris.
38. Web site: V DE VOLARIS CONTACTO. V de Volaris Magazine.
39. Web site: The Volaris Inflight Experience. Airfarewatchdog. 11 February 2019.
40. Web site: Every month, a new saving opportunity.. Volaris.
41. Web site: World's First Ultra-Low-Cost Airline Codeshare Agreement Announced Between Two Brands: U.S.-Based Frontier Airlines and Mexico's Volaris. Frontier Airlines. 16 January 2018. January 16, 2018.
42. "Video de seguridad Volaris.mov." Volaris Official YouTube. Retrieved on November 4, 2010.
43. Web site: Video de seguridad Volaris con niños . YouTube . 2013-05-12.
44. Web site: Volaris Y4 - Flights, Reviews & Cancellation Policy. 2021-11-06. KAYAK. en-us.
45. Web site: www.volaris.com.mx MEXICO | Airline logo, Vector logo, Volaris airlines . Pinterest.ie . 2022-08-24.
46. Web site: VUELOS con Volaris desde $ 108 en VIAJALA.
47. Web site: Comerciales mexicanos: Volaris 2006. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/D7RRgxvZT7A . 2021-12-21 . live. YouTube. 30 September 2018 .
48. Web site: Volaris, un vuelo de bautismo. 10 November 2008.
49. Volaris launches its program "Entre Nubes" offering food, beverages and products to improve the on board experience for its customers. www.prnewswire.com.
50. Web site: Fortaleciendo Nuestra Red - Anual 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20211019062831/http://s21.q4cdn.com/752131891/files/doc_financials/2015/Volaris-Informe-Anual-2015.pdf . 2021-10-19 . es.
51. Web site: Volaris Slogan - Slogans for Volaris - Tagline of Volaris - SloganList.
52. Web site: Volaris CEO Eyes Rapid Growth in U.S., Trump Notwithstanding. 6 April 2016 .
53. Web site: DON'T JUST FLY. VUELA Trademark of Controladora Vuela Compañía de Aviación, S.A.B. de C.V.. Serial Number: 88177585 :: Trademark Elite Trademarks. Trademark. Elite. www.trademarkelite.com.
54. Web site: Volaris - PILOT CAREER CENTER. pilotcareercenter.com.
55. Web site: Volaris and Frontier Airlines Sign Codeshare Agreement. ir.volaris.com. 19 March 2018. 5 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210805011442/http://ir.volaris.com/English/news-and-events/press-releases/press-release-details/2018/Volaris-and-Frontier-Airlines-Sign-Codeshare-Agreement/default.aspx. dead.
56. Web site: Iberia launches Volaris codeshre partnership from Sep 2024. aeroroutes.com. 8 August 2024.
57. Web site: Condor and the Mexican airline Volaris enter into partnership. condor.com/us. October 17, 2012.
58. Web site: Search & book flights with Condor . Alternative Airlines . February 28, 2024.
59. Web site: Volaris Fleet Details . August 2, 2024 . airfleets.net.
60. Web site: SeatGuru Seat Map Volaris . 2023-09-25 . www.seatguru.com.
61. Web site: Volaris Airbus A320 Seat Map - Updated 2023. Find the best seat SeatMaps . 2023-09-25 . seatmaps.com.
62. Web site: Volaris Airbus A320 Seat Map - Updated 2023. Find the best seat SeatMaps . 2023-09-25 . seatmaps.com.
63. Web site: Volaris Airbus A320 Seat Map - Updated 2023. Find the best seat SeatMaps . 2023-09-25 . seatmaps.com.
64. Airbus Orders and Deliveries (XLS), monthly updated, accessed via Web site: 3 April 2024. Orders & deliveries . Airbus . Airbus SAS.
65. Web site: Volaris Airbus A320 Seat Map - Updated 2023. Find the best seat SeatMaps . 2023-09-25 . seatmaps.com.
66. Web site: SeatGuru Seat Map Volaris . 2023-09-25 . www.seatguru.com.
67. Web site: Volaris Airbus A321 Seat Map - Updated 2023. Find the best seat SeatMaps . 2023-09-25 . seatmaps.com.
68. Web site: Volaris Airbus A321 Seat Map - Updated 2023. Find the best seat SeatMaps . 2023-09-25 . seatmaps.com.
69. Web site: Airbus delivers North America's first A320neo to Volaris. Airbus. 12 September 2016. 12 October 2016.
70. Web site: Airbus announces the largest order in its history: 430 aircraft. es. EnElAire . November 2017 . November 15, 2017.
71. News: US's Indigo Partners orders 255 A321neo Family jets. en. ch-aviation . November 2021 . December 3, 2021.