Volaris and Viva Merge to Form New Airline Group, Enhancing Low-Fare Travel
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 19 2025
0mins
Should l Buy VLRS?
Source: Globenewswire
- Merger Agreement: Volaris and Viva have entered into an agreement to form a new airline group in 2026, aimed at expanding low-fare travel accessibility in Mexico and internationally, which is expected to significantly enhance the market competitiveness of both airlines.
- Economies of Scale: The new group will realize economies of scale through lowered fleet ownership costs and improved access to capital, thereby strengthening its financial profile and supporting sustainable growth while reducing operational costs.
- Passenger Choice Preservation: Post-merger, Volaris and Viva will continue to operate independently, retaining existing routes and brands, ensuring that passenger choices remain intact while enhancing the convenience of point-to-point travel.
- Community and Economic Development: The establishment of the new airline group is expected to create between 55 and 60 direct jobs per new service aircraft, while also driving economic development and tourism growth across Mexico through increased flights and new operational bases.
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Analyst Views on VLRS
Wall Street analysts forecast VLRS stock price to rise
6 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 7.230
Low
11.00
Averages
11.65
High
12.00
Current: 7.230
Low
11.00
Averages
11.65
High
12.00
About VLRS
Controladora Vuela Compania de Aviacion SAB de CV is a Mexico-based company engaged in the airline passenger transportation sector. The Company operates as an ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC). Its activities are divided into two geographical regions: Mexico (national operations), as well as the Unites States and Central America (international operations). The Company offers direct, point-to-point flights. The Company serves through secondary, lower cost airports and provides a single class of service. Its fleet includes a number of Airbus aircrafts, such as A319, A320 and A321. The Company operates through Comercializadora Volaris SA de CV, Servicios Corporativos Volaris SA de CV and Servicios Operativos Terrestres Volaris SA de CV, among others.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Latin American Airlines Face Stock Declines Amid Oil Price Surge
- Stock Decline: Copa Holdings (CPA) and Volaris (VLRS) have both seen their stock prices drop over 15% since the onset of the Iran conflict and rising oil prices, indicating market concerns about the airline sector.
- Oil Price Impact: Bank of America analysts estimate that changes in oil prices take approximately 15 days for Copa and 30 days for Volaris to affect their results, suggesting that while short-term performance may remain stable, long-term risks persist.
- Price Target Adjustments: BofA has cut its price target for Copa from $212 to $171 and for Volaris from $11.50 to $9.30, reflecting a cautious outlook on future performance amid rising costs.
- Rating Maintenance: Despite the pressure from jet fuel prices, BofA maintains a Buy rating on Copa, citing its attractive valuation at 5.6X the firm's 2027 EV/EBITDA estimates compared to a historical average of 8.0X, indicating potential investment opportunities.
See More
Volaris Announces February 2026 Traffic Results with an 86% Load Factor
- Traffic Results: Volaris reported a load factor of 86% for February 2026, indicating strong demand for its services.
- Performance Indicator: The load factor reflects the percentage of available seating capacity that is filled with passengers, showcasing the airline's operational efficiency.
See More
Volaris Q4 2025 Earnings Call Insights
- Revenue Growth: In Q4 2025, Volaris reported total operating revenues of $882 million, reflecting a 5.6% year-over-year increase, demonstrating the company's resilience amid engine constraints and FX volatility, which bolsters market confidence.
- Cost Control and Profitability: The quarter's EBITDAR was $328 million with a margin of 37.2%, and while the full-year net loss reached $104 million, the company ensured financial health through strict cost control and operational discipline, with expectations for further improvement ahead.
- Strategic Expansion Plans: Volaris projects approximately 7% ASM growth for 2026, with most incremental capacity allocated to international markets, indicating the company's focus on international expansion aimed at enhancing market share and profitability.
- Merger Progress and Regulatory Review: The merger plan with Viva is underway, with regulatory review expected to take up to 12 months, and management remains optimistic, believing that the merger will provide low-cost, low-complexity growth opportunities for all stakeholders.
See More
Volaris Q4 Earnings Report Analysis
- Revenue Performance: Volaris reported Q4 revenue of $882 million, reflecting a 5.6% year-over-year increase, yet it fell short of expectations by $34 million, indicating potential market demand weakness that could impact future performance.
- Rising Operating Costs: Total operating expenses reached $782 million, up from $718 million last year, with operating expenses per available seat mile (CASM) increasing by 3% to $8.29 cents, highlighting growing cost pressures that may affect profitability.
- EBITDAR Stability: EBITDAR remained stable at $328 million, with an EBITDAR margin of 37.2%, down 2.4 percentage points from the previous year, suggesting challenges in cost control that may require strategic adjustments to enhance profitability going forward.
- 2026 Guidance: The company anticipates a 3% growth in available seat miles (ASM) for Q1 2026, with EBITDAR margin expected to drop to 25%, reflecting greater uncertainty in future performance amid macroeconomic pressures.
See More
Volaris Reports $104 Million Loss in 2025 Financial Results
- Financial Overview: Volaris reported a net loss of $104 million for 2025, with a loss per share of $0.91, despite a 6% increase in available seat miles (ASM) to 36.1 billion, indicating intensified market competition and cost pressures.
- Revenue Changes: Total operating revenue for Q4 2025 reached $882 million, a 5.6% increase year-over-year, while total revenue per available seat mile (TRASM) remained flat at $9.35 cents, reflecting the company's ability to maintain revenue levels amidst cost control efforts.
- Cost Control Measures: Although total operating expenses rose by 6.4% to $2.903 billion in 2025, the cost per available seat mile (CASM) remained essentially flat at $8.04 cents, demonstrating Volaris's commitment to cost management, particularly with fuel costs decreasing by 6% to $2.59 per gallon.
- Future Outlook and Strategy: Volaris expects approximately 7% ASM growth in 2026 and plans to cap capital expenditures at $350 million, aiming to enhance market competitiveness through optimized route networks and improved service quality, despite facing short-term pressures from rising maintenance costs.
See More
Volaris Resumes Normal Operations After Disruptions
- Operations Resumed: Volaris announced that as of yesterday, all flights at Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta airports have returned to normal operations, ensuring that customer travel remains unaffected.
- Customer Support Initiatives: The airline is offering various solutions through the 'My Trips' section on its website and via WhatsApp to assist affected customers in rebooking their itineraries, demonstrating a commitment to customer care.
- Communication Channels: Volaris has provided multiple contact options, including WhatsApp and social media, to ensure customers receive timely information and support, thereby enhancing customer trust.
- Safety Commitment: The company reiterated its dedication to maintaining safe and reliable operations at all times, which strengthens customer confidence in its services.
See More
Latin American Airlines Face Stock Declines Amid Oil Price Surge
- Stock Decline: Copa Holdings (CPA) and Volaris (VLRS) have both seen their stock prices drop over 15% since the onset of the Iran conflict and rising oil prices, indicating market concerns about the airline sector.
- Oil Price Impact: Bank of America analysts estimate that changes in oil prices take approximately 15 days for Copa and 30 days for Volaris to affect their results, suggesting that while short-term performance may remain stable, long-term risks persist.
- Price Target Adjustments: BofA has cut its price target for Copa from $212 to $171 and for Volaris from $11.50 to $9.30, reflecting a cautious outlook on future performance amid rising costs.
- Rating Maintenance: Despite the pressure from jet fuel prices, BofA maintains a Buy rating on Copa, citing its attractive valuation at 5.6X the firm's 2027 EV/EBITDA estimates compared to a historical average of 8.0X, indicating potential investment opportunities.
See More
Volaris Announces February 2026 Traffic Results with an 86% Load Factor
- Traffic Results: Volaris reported a load factor of 86% for February 2026, indicating strong demand for its services.
- Performance Indicator: The load factor reflects the percentage of available seating capacity that is filled with passengers, showcasing the airline's operational efficiency.
See More
Volaris Q4 2025 Earnings Call Insights
- Revenue Growth: In Q4 2025, Volaris reported total operating revenues of $882 million, reflecting a 5.6% year-over-year increase, demonstrating the company's resilience amid engine constraints and FX volatility, which bolsters market confidence.
- Cost Control and Profitability: The quarter's EBITDAR was $328 million with a margin of 37.2%, and while the full-year net loss reached $104 million, the company ensured financial health through strict cost control and operational discipline, with expectations for further improvement ahead.
- Strategic Expansion Plans: Volaris projects approximately 7% ASM growth for 2026, with most incremental capacity allocated to international markets, indicating the company's focus on international expansion aimed at enhancing market share and profitability.
- Merger Progress and Regulatory Review: The merger plan with Viva is underway, with regulatory review expected to take up to 12 months, and management remains optimistic, believing that the merger will provide low-cost, low-complexity growth opportunities for all stakeholders.
See More
Volaris Q4 Earnings Report Analysis
- Revenue Performance: Volaris reported Q4 revenue of $882 million, reflecting a 5.6% year-over-year increase, yet it fell short of expectations by $34 million, indicating potential market demand weakness that could impact future performance.
- Rising Operating Costs: Total operating expenses reached $782 million, up from $718 million last year, with operating expenses per available seat mile (CASM) increasing by 3% to $8.29 cents, highlighting growing cost pressures that may affect profitability.
- EBITDAR Stability: EBITDAR remained stable at $328 million, with an EBITDAR margin of 37.2%, down 2.4 percentage points from the previous year, suggesting challenges in cost control that may require strategic adjustments to enhance profitability going forward.
- 2026 Guidance: The company anticipates a 3% growth in available seat miles (ASM) for Q1 2026, with EBITDAR margin expected to drop to 25%, reflecting greater uncertainty in future performance amid macroeconomic pressures.
See More
Volaris Reports $104 Million Loss in 2025 Financial Results
- Financial Overview: Volaris reported a net loss of $104 million for 2025, with a loss per share of $0.91, despite a 6% increase in available seat miles (ASM) to 36.1 billion, indicating intensified market competition and cost pressures.
- Revenue Changes: Total operating revenue for Q4 2025 reached $882 million, a 5.6% increase year-over-year, while total revenue per available seat mile (TRASM) remained flat at $9.35 cents, reflecting the company's ability to maintain revenue levels amidst cost control efforts.
- Cost Control Measures: Although total operating expenses rose by 6.4% to $2.903 billion in 2025, the cost per available seat mile (CASM) remained essentially flat at $8.04 cents, demonstrating Volaris's commitment to cost management, particularly with fuel costs decreasing by 6% to $2.59 per gallon.
- Future Outlook and Strategy: Volaris expects approximately 7% ASM growth in 2026 and plans to cap capital expenditures at $350 million, aiming to enhance market competitiveness through optimized route networks and improved service quality, despite facing short-term pressures from rising maintenance costs.
See More
Volaris Resumes Normal Operations After Disruptions
- Operations Resumed: Volaris announced that as of yesterday, all flights at Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta airports have returned to normal operations, ensuring that customer travel remains unaffected.
- Customer Support Initiatives: The airline is offering various solutions through the 'My Trips' section on its website and via WhatsApp to assist affected customers in rebooking their itineraries, demonstrating a commitment to customer care.
- Communication Channels: Volaris has provided multiple contact options, including WhatsApp and social media, to ensure customers receive timely information and support, thereby enhancing customer trust.
- Safety Commitment: The company reiterated its dedication to maintaining safe and reliable operations at all times, which strengthens customer confidence in its services.
See More
