Tag Archives: Copa Airlines

Photo: Copa Airlines Boeing 737-8V3 SSWL HP-1841CMP (msn 38141) (75 Anos) YYZ (TMK Photography). Image: 958853.

Copa Airlines celebrates 75 years of flying from the Hub of the Americas in Panama with a retro jet.

Copyright Photo: Copa Airlines Boeing 737-8V3 SSWL HP-1841CMP (msn 38141) (75 Anos) YYZ (TMK Photography). Image: 958853.

Copa Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Copa Airlines is celebrating its 75th anniversary of the Hub of the Americas with a 737 retro jet

Copa Airlines is celebrating its 75th anniversary of connecting the Americas with a special 1990s retro livery on pictured Boeing 737-8V3 HP-1841CMP (msn 44156).

Copa issued these photos and statement (translated):

On August 31, 200, we unveiled our Boeing 737-800 NG painted in the colors that our fleet wore at the beginning of the 1990s, a key time in our history, when we began what would come to be called the Hub of the Americas® and our transformation as the leading airline of the Americas.

Copa Airlines also issued this statement:

Copa Airlines, a subsidiary of Copa Holdings, S.A. and member of the global network of Star Alliance airlines, celebrated its 75th anniversary by showcasing a Boeing 737-800 NG model aircraft livery, reminiscent of the look the airline had in the 1990s, a period that launched what would become the Hub of the Americas® and the expansion of their network with the vision of connecting the Americas and promoting the wonders of Panama.

The Boeing 737-800 NG, registration number HP-1841CMP, was painted at the Copa Airlines Maintenance Center, located at the Tocumen International Airport in Panama City. More than 30 employees participated in the process, including aviation painters, designers, and engineers, totaling over 2,500 hours of work in 15 days.

After the unveiling event on August 31, the first flight assigned to the Boeing 737-800 NG, as the commemorative livery, was the CM808, en route from Panama City to New York.  The aircraft will cross the continental skies on designated routes between the more than 75 destinations in 32 countries where Copa Airlines currently operates, carrying on its history, representing what the company’s fleet of Boeing 737-200 looked like between 1988 and 2005.

Copa Airlines expects to be at pre-pandemic seat capacity numbers in the second half of 2022 and reach 2019 passenger numbers by the end of the year. The Airline continues to focus on offering world-class service connecting passengers through the Hub of the Americas®, located at the Tocumen International Airport in Panama City.

On September 14, 2022, Copa Airlines celebrated 75 years of connecting the Americas with a special event at the Miami International Airport, it’s first route in the U.S. and its largest operations base in North America.

The airline unveiled its new aircraft design paying homage to the airline’s roots from the 1990s and reflects a critical period in its history when it launched what is known today as the Hub of the Americas®. Servicing six daily flights out of MIA, Copa Airlines has been the bridge that connects South Florida with Latin American for more than 30 years.

The aircraft was welcomed with a water cannon salute and was attended by Copa Airlines executives, airport representatives and government officials to celebrate this historic celebration. Speakers included:

  • Ralph Cutié, Director and CEO, Miami International Airport
  • Ricardo Gaitán Arrocha, Consul General of Panama in Miami
  • Marco Ocando, Director Marketing, Communications & Frequent Flyer Program, Copa Airlines

Copa Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

 

Copa Airlines launches a passenger centric Copa Club and opens new Terminal 2 in Panama City

Copa Airlines made this announcement:

Copa Airlines, a subsidiary of Copa Holdings, S. A, and a member of the global Star Alliance airline network, is now welcoming passengers traveling through the Hub of the Americas® at Tocumen International Airport to its expansive new Copa Club. The opening of the new lounge is the result of the airlines’ moving operations to the new Terminal 2 (T2), which is now fully open to the public.

Inspired by a modern Latin American hacienda, the new Copa Club’s design incorporates unique Panamanian elements, paying homage to the airlines’ home base. The more than 20,000 square foot lounge offers comfortable seating for 420 guests and features flexible quiet spaces to work and unwind with soft lighting and leather chairs along with an entertainment area for families, bar and culinary offerings, including a variety of snacks and buffet service with a menu of select appetizers. Spacious showers are also available for guests who need to refresh between flights. A highlight of the Copa Club is La Placita, a replica of an interior courtyard and terrace with expansive views of the airport. The lounge is located across from gate 207 in T2.

Terminal 2 has a wide and modern infrastructure with 38 Copa Airlines passenger and baggage check-in counters and 22 self-service kiosks. The commissioning of the terminal increases the airlines capacity and allows Copa Airlines, “The Most Punctual Airline in Latin America” ​​(CIRIUM, 2021), to continue strengthening the connectivity of the Hub of the Americas® in Panama and contributing to the development of tourism, economic activity, and social progress in the region.

All Copa Airlines passengers whose trip begin in Panama City, will proceed to T2 of Tocumen International Airport to check in, register their luggage and continue through the immigration process to reach their designated gate. Passengers with a final destination in Panama must proceed to the immigration and customs process through T2. Passengers who are members of the ConnectMiles frequent flyer program with PreferMember Gold, Platinum and Presidential status, as well as passengers traveling in Business Class and Star Alliance Gold passengers, will have access to the new Copa Club in T2 as well as the original lounge operating in T1.

Copa Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Copa Airlines Cargo adds its first Boeing 737-800BCF freighter

Copa Airlines Cargo has added its first Boeing 737-800BCF freighter.

The newe addition made its first cargo flight on March 28, 2022, linking Panama City with Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.

The airline will operate cargo services to and from: Managua, San José, Bogotá, Havana, Caracas, El Salvador, Guatemala, Santo Domingo from Panama City.

Copa Holdings produces a fourth quarter and 2021 net profit

Delivered December 22, 2020, first foreign delivery since grounding

Copa Holdings, S.A. today announced financial results for the fourth quarter of 2021 (4Q21) and full year 2021. The following financial information, unless otherwise indicated, is presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). See the accompanying reconciliation of non-IFRS financial information to IFRS financial information included in the financial tables section of this earnings release. Unless otherwise stated, all comparisons with prior periods refer to the fourth quarter of 2019 (4Q19) (which the Company believes are more relevant than year-over-year comparisons due to the significant impacts in 2020 of the COVID-19 pandemic).

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

  • Copa Holdings reported a net profit of US$114.4 million for the quarter or US$2.69 per share. Excluding special items, the Company would have reported a net profit of US$84.1 million or US$1.98 per share.  Special items include an US$8.9 million unrealized mark-to-market loss related to the Company’s convertible notes and a reversal of US$39.2 million in the Company’s provision related to the return of leased aircraft.
  • Copa Holdings reported an operating profit of US$155.0 million for the quarter. Excluding the US$39.2 million reversal, the Company would have reported an operating profit of US$115.8 million and a 20.1% operating margin.
  • For full-year 2021, the Company reported a net profit of US$39.9 million or US$0.94 per share. Excluding special items, which included a reversal of US$39.2 million in the Company’s provision related to the return of leased aircraft, a US$22.8 million unrealized mark-to-market loss related to the Company’s convertible notes, and a passenger revenue adjustment of US$20.8 million corresponding to unredeemed coupons from 2019 and 2020 sales, Copa Holdings would have reported an adjusted net profit of US$2.7 million or US$0.06 per share.
  • For full-year 2021, the Company reported an operating profit of US$145.7 million. Excluding special items, the Company would have reported an operating profit of US$85.6 million and a 5.8% operating margin.
  • Capacity for 4Q21, measured in terms of available seat miles (ASMs), was 83.1% of the capacity flown in 4Q19.
  • Total revenues for 4Q21 came in at US$575.0 million, reaching 84.3% of 4Q19 revenues. Passenger revenues for 4Q21 reached 82.2% of 4Q19 levels, while 4Q21 cargo revenues were 61.2% higher than 4Q19. Passenger yield increased 1.0% to 12.7 cents and load factors decreased 1.8 percentage points to 83.5%, compared to 4Q19. Revenue per Available Seat Mile (RASM) came in at 11.3 cents, or 1.5% higher than 4Q19.
  • Operating cost per available seat mile (CASM) in 4Q21, excluding special items (adjusted CASM) decreased 3.8% vs. 4Q19 to 9.0 cents. While adjusted CASM, excluding fuel, decreased 7.5% to 6.1 cents.
  • Cash buildup, defined as cash proceeds minus disbursements, excluding extraordinary financing activities and asset sales but including capital expenditures and payment of financial obligations, was US$84 million for the quarter.
  • The Company ended the quarter with US$1.5 billion in available liquidity, consisting of approximately US$1.2 billion in cash, short-term and long-term investments, and US$295 million in committed and undrawn credit facilities.
  • The Company closed the quarter with total debt, including lease liabilities, of US$1.6 billion.
  • During the quarter, the Company took delivery of one Boeing 737 MAX 9, completed the conversion of one Boeing 737-800 into a freighter, and decided to retain three Boeing 737-700s previously classified as assets held for sale.
  • Including 3 Boeing 737-700 aircraft currently in temporary storage and one Boeing 737-800 freighter, Copa Holdings ended the year with a consolidated fleet of 91 aircraft – 68 Boeing 737-800s, 14 Boeing 737 MAX 9s, and 9 Boeing 737-700s, compared to a fleet of 102 aircraft prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Copa Airlines had an on-time performance for the quarter of 90.0% and a flight completion factor of 99.54%, once again positioning the airline among the best in the industry.

Subsequent Events

  • In January, Copa Airlines was recognized by Cirium – for the eighth consecutive year – as the most on-time airline in Latin America in 2021. Copa Airlines’ on-time performance of 91.1% for the year was the highest of any carrier in the Americas.
  • In January, the Company took delivery of one Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft, originally scheduled for December 2021.
  • Due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in Panama and Latin America, mainly driven by the Omicron variant, which impacted its crew availability, the Company canceled over 1,000 flights, reducing the 1Q22 published schedule by approximately 4%.

Top Copyright Photo: Copa Airlines Boeing 737-9 MAX 9 HP-9908CMP (msn 44168) BFI (Joe G. Walker). Image: 952382.
Copa Airlines aircraft slide show:
Copa Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Copa Holdings loses $110.7 million in the first quarter

Copa Airlines' ConnectMiles loyalty program

Copa Holdings, S.A. has announced financial results for the first quarter of 2021 (1Q21).

Photo: Orlando International Airport.

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

  • Copa Holdings reported a net loss of US$110.7 million for the quarter, or US$2.60 per share.  Excluding special items, the Company would have reported a net loss of US$95.1 million, or US$2.23 per share.  Special items for the quarter include a US$15.7 million unrealized mark-to-market loss related to the Company’s convertible notes.
  • Copa Holdings reported an operating loss of US$77.1 million for the quarter.
  • Cash consumption, defined as cash disbursements less proceeds, excluding extraordinary financing activities and asset sales but including capital expenditures and payment of financial obligations, averaged approximately US$23 million per month during the quarter.
  • The Company ended the quarter with US$1.5 billion of available liquidity, consisting of approximately US$1.2 billion in cash, short-term and long-term investments, and committed and undrawn credit facilities of US$345 million.
  • The Company closed the quarter with total debt, including lease liabilities, of US$1.7 billion.
  • The Company’s flight operations, measured in terms of available seat miles (ASMs), represented approximately 39% of those in the same period in 2019.
  • During the quarter, 4 Embraer 190 aircraft exited the fleet as part of a previously agreed sale to a third party.  As of March 31, 2021, there were 4 remaining Embraer 190 aircraft sold that are expected to leave during the second quarter. 
  • During the quarter, the Company took delivery of 6 Boeing 737 MAX 9.  Excluding the aircraft classified as assets held for sale, and including aircraft in temporary storage, Copa Holdings ended the quarter with a consolidated fleet of 81 aircraft – 68 Boeing 737-800s and 13 Boeing 737 MAX 9s, compared to a total fleet of 102 aircraft at the end of the first quarter of 2020.
  • During the quarter, Copa Airlines had an on-time performance of 95.0% and a flight-completion factor of 99.3%, once again positioning itself among the best in the industry.

Subsequent Events

  • In April, the Company delivered 1 Embraer 190 aircraft, out of 14 that were sold to a third party.

Top Copyright photo: The Embraer 190s are being phase out this year. Copa Airlines Embraer ERJ 190-100 IGW HP-1564CMP (msn 19000100) (ConnectMiles.com) PTY (Andres Meneses). Image: 929692.

Copa Airlines aircraft slide show:

 

Copa Holdings reports a $118.1 million loss in the third quarter

Copa Holdings, S.A. has announced financial results for the third quarter of 2020 (3Q20). The terms “Copa Holdings” and “the Company” refer to the consolidated entity.  The following financial information, unless otherwise indicated, is presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). See the accompanying reconciliation of non-IFRS financial information to IFRS financial information included in the financial tables section of this earnings release. Unless otherwise stated, all comparisons with prior periods refer to the third quarter of 2019 (3Q19).

Due to government restrictions on air travel implemented in response to the Covid-19 outbreak, the Company did not provide scheduled commercial service during the first 45 days of the quarter.  On August 14, the Company restarted limited scheduled commercial operations subject to Panama’s restrictions on the number of flights and entry for non-citizens and non-residents, and it has been gradually increasing capacity ever since.  However, the capacity figures were still very low on a full quarter basis.  Therefore, this earnings release will focus on the financial results and metrics that are relevant in these circumstances and will omit certain financial ratios, unit metrics and operational indicators that are usually provided, since they are either not measurable or immaterial on such a limited operational base.

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

  • Copa Holdings reported a net loss of US$118.1 million or US$2.78 per share. Excluding special items, the Company would have reported a net loss of US$121.6 million, or US$2.86 per share.
  • Special items for the quarter include a US$3.6 million unrealized gain on the mark-to-market of the Company’s outstanding convertible notes.
  • Copa Holdings reported an operating loss of US$107.0 million.
  • Cash consumption, defined as cash disbursements less proceeds, excluding extraordinary financing activities and asset sales, averaged US$36 million per month during the quarter.
  • The Company ended the quarter with US$1.3 billion of available liquidity, consisting of US$1.0 billion in cash, short-term and long-term investments, and committed and undrawn credit facilities of US$305 million.
  • The Company repaid US$50 million in short-term lines of credit, closing the quarter with a total debt of US$1.2 billion.
  • On August 14, the Company restarted limited scheduled commercial operations, subject to Panama’s health control restrictions on the number of flights and entry for non-citizens and non-residents to Panama and has been gradually increasing capacity since then. Capacity for the quarter represented approximately 1.5% of 3Q19 capacity.
  • The Company completed the delivery of the first EMB-190 aircraft out of 14 that have been sold to a third party.
  • Excluding the aircraft classified as assets held for sale, Copa Holdings ended the quarter with a consolidated fleet of 74 aircraft – 68 Boeing 737-800s and 6 Boeing 737MAX9s.

Subsequent Events

  • During October, the Company delivered the 2nd and 3rd EMB-190 aircraft out of 14 that have been sold to a third party.
  • On October 11, Panama lifted restrictions on the number of flights and entry for non-citizens and non-residents.
  • During the month of November, the Company signed a Letter of Intent for the sale of 2 Boeing 737-700 aircraft, to be finalized and delivered in January 2021.
  • As of November 15, the Company has restarted service to 38 destinations.
  • On November 18, the FAA rescinded the order that grounded the Boeing 737-MAX aircraft type and published an Airworthiness Directive and MAX training requirements, paving the way for a return to service.  The Company has a plan in place to comply with all new requirements and expects to return its six Boeing 737-MAX9 aircraft to service soon.
  • The Company is in advanced discussions with Boeing to reach a settlement regarding the Boeing 737-MAX grounding.  Subject to the outcome of these discussions, the Company expects to receive two Boeing 737-MAX9 aircraft during the month of December 2020.

 

Consolidated Financial
& Operating Highlights		 3Q20 3Q19 Variance vs. 3Q19 2Q20 Variance vs. 2Q20
Revenue Passengers Carried (000s) 30 2,703 -98.9% 9 225.9%
RPMs (millions) 57 5,466 -99.0% 15 275.7%
ASMs (millions) 95 6,383 -98.5% 31 205.9%
Load Factor 59.7% 85.6% -26.0 p.p. 48.6% 11.1 p.p.
Fuel Gallons Consumed (millions) 1.32 81.97 -98.4% 0.66 99.4%
Avg. Price Per Fuel Gallon (US$) 1.41 2.16 -34.6% 0.81 74.1%
Average Length of Haul (miles) 1,925 2,022 -4.8% 1,670 15.3%
Average Stage Length (miles) 1,081 1,295 -16.5% 727 48.7%
Departures 559 33,373 -98.3% 225 148.4%
Block Hours 1,710 109,614 -98.4% 820 108.5%
Operating Revenues (US$ millions) 32.4 708.2 -95.4% 14.5 122.8%
Operating Profit (Loss) (US$ millions) -107.0 132.9 n/m -357.9 n/m
Adjusted Operating Profit (Loss) (US$ millions) (1) -107.0 132.9 n/m -108.7 n/m
Net Profit (Loss) (US$ millions) -118.1 104.0 n/m -386.0 n/m
Adjusted Net Profit (Loss) (US$ millions) (1) -121.6 104.0 n/m -114.6 n/m
Basic EPS (US$) -2.78 2.45 n/m -9.08 n/m
Adjusted Basic EPS (US$) (1) -2.86 2.45 n/m -2.70 n/m
Shares for calculation of Basic EPS (000s) 42,510 42,487 0.1% 42,512 0.0%
(1) Excludes Special Items.  This earnings release includes a reconciliation of non-IFRS financial measures to the comparable IFRS measures.

 

Copa Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

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Copa Holdings reports a net profit of $74.3 million

Copa Airlines Boeing 737-8V3 WL HP-1713CMP (msn 40890) MIA (Jay Selman). Image: 404025.

Copa Holdings, S.A. (Copa Airlines) has  announced financial results for the first quarter of 2020 (1Q20).

The following financial information, unless otherwise indicated, is presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). See the accompanying reconciliation of non-IFRS financial information to IFRS financial information included in the financial tables section of this earnings release. Unless otherwise stated, all comparisons with prior periods refer to the first quarter of 2019 (1Q19).

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

  • Due to air travel restrictions implemented in response to the Covid-19 outbreak, the Company was forced to temporarily suspend all commercial flights on March 22nd, 2020.  The Company currently expects to re-start a scaled-down operation on June 1st, 2020, although this date could be delayed as a result of further travel restrictions.
  • For 1Q20, Copa Holdings reported net profit of US$74.3 million or earnings per share (EPS) of US$1.75, as compared to net profit of US$89.4 million or earnings per share of US$2.11 in 1Q19.
  • Operating profit for 1Q20 came in at US$98.7 million, representing a 12.6% decrease from operating profit of US$112.9 millionin 1Q19.  Operating margin for 1Q20 came in at 16.6%, compared to an operating margin of 16.8% in 1Q19.
  • For 1Q20, consolidated passenger traffic decreased 16.3% on a 14.4% capacity reduction.  As a result, consolidated load factor for the quarter decreased 1.9 percentage points to 81.5%.
  • Total revenues for 1Q20 decreased 11.4% to US$595.5 million.  Yield per passenger mile increased 5.8% to 12.8 cents and RASM came in at 10.8 cents, or 5.8% higher than 1Q19.
  • Operating cost per available seat mile (CASM) increased 3.8%, from 8.7 cents in 1Q19 to 9.0 cents in 1Q20.  CASM excluding fuel costs increased 8.0% from 6.1 cents in 1Q19 to 6.6 cents in 1Q20, mainly as a result of flight cancellations in March due to the Covid-19 outbreak and, later in the month, the unexpected grounding of the Company´s fleet, resulting in a significant year over year capacity reduction.
  • During 1Q20 the Company drew US$145 million from its available short-term lines of credit.
  • Cash, short-term and long-term investments ended the quarter at US$ 1.13 billion, representing approximately 43% of the last twelve months’ revenues.
  • Copa Holdings ended the quarter with a consolidated fleet of 102 aircraft – 6 Boeing 737 MAX 9s, 68 Boeing 737-800s, 14 Boeing 737-700s, and 14 Embraer-190s.

Subsequent Events

  • Given the uncertainty related to the Covid-19 crisis, including the effect on future air travel demand, on April 26, 2020 our Board of Directors postponed dividend payments for the remaining quarters of 2020.
  • Throughout the month of April, the Company obtained unsecured, committed credit facilities with three local banks, for an aggregate amount of US$150 million dollars.  These facilities remain unutilized.
  • On April 30, 2020, the Company further bolstered its cash position by successfully closing a US$350 million convertible senior notes offering, maturing in 2025.

Top Copyright photo: Copa Airlines Boeing 737-8V3 WL HP-1713CMP (msn 40890) MIA (Jay Selman). Image: 404025.

Copa Airlines aircraft slide show:

Copa Holdings reports its fourth quarter financial results

Copa Holdings, S.A. has announced financial results for the fourth quarter of 2019 (4Q19) and full year 2019.

The following financial information, unless otherwise indicated, is presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). See the accompanying reconciliation of non-IFRS financial information to IFRS financial information included in the financial tables section of this earnings release. Unless otherwise stated, all comparisons with prior periods refer to the fourth quarter of 2018 (4Q18).

The financial information included in this press release is preliminary as the Company has not yet issued its audited financial statements and may differ from those results. During the preparation of the financial statements and related notes and our year-end audit, additional items that would require material adjustments to the preliminary financial information included in this press release may be identified.

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

  • Copa Holdings reported a net profit of US$2.7 million for 4Q19 or earnings per share (EPS) of US$0.06, as compared to a net loss of US$155.8 million or loss per share of US$3.67 in 4Q18. Excluding Special Items, which for 4Q19 included a non-cash fleet impairment charge of US$89.3 million, and for 4Q18 included a non-cash fleet impairment charge of US$188.6 million and a non-cash US$11.4 million-dollar foreign currency translation loss (Special Items), the Company would have reported a net profit of US$92.1 million, or adjusted EPS of US$2.17in 4Q19, compared to an adjusted net profit of US$44.1 million or adjusted EPS of US$1.04 in 4Q18.
  • For full year 2019, net profit came in at US$247 million or EPS of US$5.81, compared to a net profit of US$88.1 million or earnings per share of US$2.07 for full year 2018. Excluding Special Items, which for 2019 included a non-cash fleet impairment charge of US$89.3 million, and for 2018 included a non-cash fleet impairment charge of US$188.6 million and a non-cash US$11.4 million-dollar foreign currency translation loss, Copa Holdings would have reported an adjusted net profit of US$336.3 million or EPS of US$7.92 in 2019, compared to an adjusted net profit of US$276.7 million or adjusted EPS of US$6.52 in 2018.
  • In 4Q19, the Company had an operating profit of US$17.8 million, compared to an operating loss of US$126.4 million in 4Q18. Excluding Special Items, namely the fleet impairment charges in 4Q19 and 4Q18, The Company would have reported an Operating profit of US$107.1 million in 4Q19, compared to an operating profit of US$62.2 million in 4Q18. Excluding Special Items, operating margin for 4Q19 would have come in at 15.7%, compared to 9.5% in 4Q18.
  • For full year 2019, the Company reported operating profit of US$346.2 million. Excluding Special Items, the Company would have reported an operating profit of US$435.5 million, representing an increase of 25.1% over adjusted operating profit of US$348.1 million for full year 2018, mostly due to stronger unit revenues and lower jet fuel prices. Excluding Special Items, operating margin for full year 2019 would have come in at 16.1%.
  • Total revenues for 4Q19 increased 3.9% to US$681.9 million, despite a 4.6% capacity contraction. Yield per passenger mile increased 6.0% to 12.5 cents, and load factors improved 2.5 percentage points year over year to 85.3%. Revenue per available seat mile (RASM) came in at 11.1 cents, or 8.9% higher than 4Q18.
  • For full year 2019, consolidated load factor was 84.8%, 1.4 percentage points higher than 2018 on a 2.7% capacity reduction.
  • Operating cost per available seat mile (CASM), excluding Special Items (Adjusted CASM) increased 1.4%, from 9.2 cents in 4Q18 to 9.3 cents in 4Q19. Adjusted CASM excluding fuel costs increased 6.4% from 6.2 cents in 4Q18 to 6.6 cents in 4Q19, mainly as a result of lower capacity, as well as expenses, associated to the Boeing MAX fleet grounding.
  • Cash, short-term and long-term investments ended 2019 at US$985.5 million, representing 36% of the last twelve months’ revenues.
  • Copa Holdings ended the year with a consolidated fleet of 102 aircraft – 6 Boeing 737MAX9s, 68 Boeing 737-800s, 14 Boeing 737-700s, and 14 Embraer 190s.
  • As was previously reported, during the fourth quarter the Company announced its intention to sell its remaining 14 Embraer 190s over the next two years duly classifying these assets as available for sale. As such, a US$89.3 million impairment charge was booked in 4Q19.
  • For 2019, Copa Airlines ended the year with a consolidated on-time performance of 91.9% and a flight-completion factor of 99.8%, maintaining its position among the best in the industry.

Subsequent Events

  • In January 2020, the company was recognized by FlightStats – for the seventh consecutive year – as the most on-time airline in Latin America, and by OAG as the second most on-time airline in the world.
  • On February 12, 2020, the Board of Directors of Copa Holdings approved a 2020 quarterly dividend payment of 80 cents per share. Dividends will be distributed during the months of March, June, September and December. The first quarterly dividend of 80 cents per share will be paid on March 13 to shareholders on record as of February 28, 2020.
  • As part of the world-wide grounding of the Boeing MAX fleet, the Company has removed all Boeing MAX operations from its schedule until the end of August of 2020.

Copa Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Copa Holdings reports net profit of $104.0 million, updates on the MAX, will early retire the E190

E190 fleet to be retired in 2021

Copa Holdings, S.A. has announced financial results for the third quarter of 2019 (3Q19).

The following financial information, unless otherwise indicated, is presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Unless otherwise stated, all comparisons with prior periods refer to the third quarter of 2018 (3Q18).

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

  • ▪  Copa Holdings reported net profit of US$104.0 million for 3Q19 or earnings per share (EPS) of US$2.45, compared to net profit of US$57.6 million or earnings per share of US$1.36 in 3Q18.
  • ▪  Operating profit for 3Q19 came in at US$132.9 million, representing a 70.9% increase from an operating profit of US$77.8 million in 3Q18.
  • ▪  Total revenues for 3Q19 increased 5.3% to US$708.2 million. Yield per passenger mile increased 7.9% to 12.5 cents and revenue per available seat mile (RASM) increased 9.4% to 11.1 cents.
  • ▪  Operating cost per available seat mile (CASM) increased 0.5% to 9.0 cents in 3Q19. Excluding fuel costs, CASM increased 5.5% from 5.9 cents in 3Q18 to 6.2 cents in 3Q19, mainly due to the decrease in capacity related to the grounding of the Boeing MAX fleet.
  • ▪  Operating margin for 3Q19 came in at 18.8%, 7.2 percentage points higher than the 11.6% generated in 3Q18.
  • ▪  While capacity (measured in available seat miles, or ASMs) decreased by 3.7% in 3Q19 due to the grounding of the Boeing MAX fleet, consolidated passenger traffic (measured in revenue passenger miles, or RPMs) decreased by only 2.2%. As a result, consolidated load factor for the quarter increased 1.4 percentage points to 85.6%.
  • ▪  The sum of cash, short-term and long-term investments was US$885.5 million at the end of 3Q19, representing approximately 33% of the last twelve months’ revenues.
  • ▪  Despite the operational challenges presented by the grounding of its Boeing MAX fleet, Copa Airlines delivered an on-time performance of over 92% and a flight-completion factor of 99.8%, maintaining its position among the best in the industry.
  • ▪  Copa Holdings ended the quarter with a consolidated fleet of 103 aircraft – 68 Boeing 737-800s, 14 Boeing 737-700s, 15 Embraer 190s (top) and 6 Boeing MAX 9s.
  • ▪  The Company has not taken any aircraft deliveries since the world-wide grounding of the Boeing MAX fleet took effect in March 2019. According to its original growth plan for 2019, the Company should have received six additional Boeing MAX 9s during the first three quarters of the year and would have received one more in the fourth quarter to end the year with 13 Boeing MAX9 aircraft.Subsequent Events
  • ▪  Copa Holdings will pay its fourth quarterly dividend of $0.65 per share on December 13, to all Class A and Class B shareholders on record as of November 29, 2019.
  • ▪  As part of the world-wide grounding of the Boeing MAX fleet, the Company has removed all Boeing MAX operations from its schedule until mid-February 2020.
  • ▪  As part of its plan to increase efficiencies, the Company has decided to accelerate the exit of its E190 fleet (top) and is planning to sell the remaining 14 aircraft over the next 18 months, 3 years earlier than previously planned. This anticipated exit could result in a book loss in the range of US$90 million related to the sale of the aircraft and spare parts inventory.

Despite the operational and financial impact of the grounding of its Boeing MAX fleet, Copa Holdings delivered a great quarter, with strong financial results and outstanding operational metrics. Higher load factors and yields resulted in a significant unit revenue increase, which generated a 18.8% operating margin for the quarter, a 7.2 percentage point increase over 3Q18. In terms of operational results, the Company delivered a 92% on-time performance and 99.8% completion factor, placing it again among the best in the industry.

The Company ́s consolidated operating revenue increased 5.3% to US$708.2 million during the quarter, despite a 3.7% decrease in capacity compared to 3Q18.

Load factor came in at 85.6%, or 1.4 percentage points above 3Q18. Yields improved 7.9% to 12.5 cents. As a result, passenger revenues per ASM (PRASM) increased 9.7% to 10.7 cents in 3Q19.

Total operating expenses for 3Q19 decreased 3.2% to US$575.3 million, while operating expenses per ASM (CASM) increased 0.5% to 9.0 cents. Excluding fuel costs, CASM increased 5.5% to 6.2 cents, mainly due to the capacity reduction resulting from the grounding of the Boeing MAX fleet.

Aircraft fuel expense decreased by 12.6%, or US$25.5 million, compared to 3Q18 due to lower jet fuel prices and fewer gallons consumed given the lower capacity. The Company’s effective jet fuel price decreased 10.2%, from an average of US$2.40 per gallon in 3Q18 to an average of US$2.16 per gallon in 3Q19.

The Company recorded non-operating expense of US$16.6 million for 3Q19 compared to non-operating expense of US$8.9 million in 3Q18. The non-operating expense in 3Q19 was mostly comprised of a net interest expense of US$6.6 million and a US$9.6 million translation loss due to foreign currency fluctuations, primarily resulting from the significant devaluation of the Argentine Peso.

Copa Holdings closed the quarter with US$ 885.5 million in cash, short-term and long-term investments, representing approximately 33% of last twelve months ́ revenues.

Total debt at the end of 3Q19 amounted to US$1.10 billion compared to US$1.29 billion at the end of 2018, all of which is related to aircraft financing. At the end of the quarter, the Company’s lease liability- adjusted net debt to EBITDA ratio was 0.8 times.

The company has a very solid business model, which is based on operating the best and most convenient network for intra-Latin America travel from its Hub of the Americas® based in Panama’s advantageous geographic position, with the region’s lowest unit costs, best on-time performance, and a strong balance sheet. Going forward, the Company expects to continue strengthening its long-term competitive position by taking advantage of new growth opportunities and implementing initiatives to further strengthen its network and product, while continuing to reduce unit costs.

Top Copyright Photo: Copa Airlines Embraer ERJ 190-100 IGW HP-1556CMP (msn 19000016) SAL (Tony Storck). Image: 922298.

Copa Airlines aircraft slide show: